Conceptualised and managed by International NGO Safety & Security Association (INSSA) and the Centre for Safety & Development (CSD), this unique awards program aims to recognise and celebrate non-profit NGO Security Risk Management excellence at the community, country, and regional levels.

Award Categories

Applications will be invited for the following Award categories: 

Rising Star:   The candidate for this category must be a security risk management (SRM) professional  under 35 years of age or with less than five (05) years of NGO SRM experience (at least one of the two conditions must be met) who has demonstrated potential and commitment to Non-Profit NGO Security Risk Management.  

SRM Innovator:   The candidate for this category must have displayed innovative SRM concepts or practices, introduced or developed new systems, or created SRM models that have successfully been applied at the community, country, or regional level. 

Outstanding Achiever:  The candidate applying for this categorymust have displayed superior SRM leadership in all essential SRM competencies, which are: (i) Risk Assessment/Principles; (ii) Policies and Protocols; (iii) Leadership, Management, and Implementation; and (iv) Critical Incident Response.      

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, the candidates must kindly ensure they meet all the following criteria:

1. You must be a current INSSA member, must be 21 years of age or older and must have held continuous INSSA membership for at least one full year at the time of application.
2. You must hold a valid Security Risk Management Professional (SRMP) Certification at either the Country or Regional Level.
3. While current NGO employment is not mandatory, your application must be based on demonstrated professional security contributions at the community, country, or regional levels within the non-profit NGO sector.
4. You must be willing and able to provide two professional references. If currently employed, one reference must be from your present supervisor.
5. You must not be a resident of any country or region currently subject to comprehensive U.S. sanctions. This includes, but is not limited to, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and the Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.
6. You must be willing to complete all parts of the recruitment process (including the application and any interviews) in English.
7. You must read, understand, and formally agree to the Official Rules listed below.

Official Rules

• You must complete all required information on the Application Form and meet the Eligibility Criteria to be considered for an INSSA-CSD Excellence Award.
• Applications must be submitted online or via email on or before July 31, 2025, at 23:59 UTC (Universal Time Coordinated).
• There is one (1) Award per category in the amount of $1,000 (USD) each. You may apply for more than one Award category, but no applicant will be selected for more than one Award.
• The Award recipients will be selected by a panel of judges.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a panel interview using the contact information provided in their Application Forms. The Award recipients will be announced by November.
• All decisions are final.
• Failure to respond to any Award recipient notification within 5 (five) days may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate Award recipient.
• Each Award recipient may be required to sign a Declaration of Eligibility and Release Form.
• This Award programme is subject to all applicable laws, including tax laws that may require withholding of a portion of an Award to any non-U.S. recipient. Award recipients are responsible for all taxes that may be due on the Award. Award recipients should seek advice from a tax professional concerning the tax implications of this award.
• This Award programme is not open to residents of any jurisdiction subject to U.S. comprehensive sanctions, including but not limited to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and the Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.
• The application and submission forms are only available in English. All submissions and supporting documents must also be in English.
• All applicants must be 21 years of age or older.
• If part of your application is submitted through video or audio recording, please make sure the link shared allows access to the examiners to see it, that the image quality is appropriate, and the audio is clear and understandable.
• By submitting your application, you agree to these Official Rules and the INSSA Terms of Use Agreement and acknowledge INSSA and CSD’s privacy policies (here and here, respectively).
• By submitting the Application Form electronically, you provide your digital signature certifying that your information and answers are your own work and that you have read the Eligibility Criteria and the Official Rules.

Application Form & Guidance 2025

The application form is available here   https://forms.gle/QoKMULvTCn8YqN2A9 

This year, we are pleased to offer more flexibility in how you submit your application. You may choose one of the following methods, but please note that all applications must be in English:

1. Video recording (maximum 3 minutes) – You may record yourself using a webcam, smartphone, or any video device. Simple presentations or direct recordings are welcome. Please ensure you speak clearly and that your video is good enough to be understood.
2. Audio recording (maximum 3 minutes) – Recordings from a phone, computer, or other device are accepted. Please make sure the sound is clear, and that you introduce yourself at the beginning.
3. Written application (no more than 700 words) – Please ensure your writing is easy to follow and directly addresses the award criteria.

In your submission, explain why you should be considered for the award category you have selected. Please use examples, stories, and experiences that show your impact and achievements. You are welcome to apply for more than one award category using a single application form, as long as you meet the criteria for each category.

Kindly note:

• Please do not copy and paste the same answers for different categories. Each award seeks different examples and skills.
• Please do not use the same audio or video recording for different categories. The content must match the specific category to strengthen your application.
• Only submissions in English will be reviewed. Thank you for your understanding.

We look forward to receiving your application and learning about your inspiring work.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please write to comms.admin@ingossa.org

2024 Winners

2023 Winners & Finalists

Watch this Special Episode of INSSA INSIGHTS featuring our 2023 Winners and the Awards Sponsor.