Rules &
Eligibility

2. ELIGIBILITY

2.1 Global Eligibility

The Spicy Awards are open to individuals and organizations worldwide, regardless of size, geography, sector, or organizational scale, subject to the specific requirements of the relevant award category.

2.2 Individuals and Organizations

Unless a particular category provides otherwise, eligible nominees may include:

• individuals;
• community groups;
• grassroots organizations;
• nonprofits and civil society organizations;
• social enterprises;
• businesses;
• institutions;
• initiatives;
• collectives; and
• other qualifying entities.

2.3 Age

Where a category contains a specific age requirement, eligibility will be determined according to the age requirements published for that category.

2.4 Conflicts of Interest

Employees and immediate family members of Spice Without Borders, the Spicy Awards organizing team, and other persons or entities expressly excluded by the organizers are not eligible for competitive nomination where their participation could create a material conflict of interest.

Sponsors, partners, volunteers, jurors, or affiliated organizations are not automatically excluded unless the relevant relationship creates a conflict under the applicable Awards rules.

2.5 Previous Winners

Past winners of the First Among Equals Award are not eligible to reapply for that award in future cycles unless the Awarding Board expressly determines otherwise.

2.6 Multiple Awards in One Cycle

A nominee may ordinarily receive only one competitive category award in a single Awards cycle.

This restriction does not prevent a nominee from also receiving:

• the People’s Choice Award;
• an honorary award;
• a special recognition award; or
• another distinction expressly approved by the Awarding Board.

2.7 Lifetime Competitive Wins

A nominee may win competitive Spicy Awards up to three times during their lifetime, whether across different years or categories.

Following a third competitive win, the individual or organization may become an Honorary Spicy Awards Alumni and will ordinarily be ineligible for further competitive nominations.

The Awarding Board may continue to recognize such alumni through honorary, legacy, special recognition, or other non-competitive distinctions.

2.8 Eligibility Review

Eligibility may be reviewed at any stage of the Awards process.

If information subsequently emerges demonstrating that a nominee did not meet the eligibility requirements at the relevant time, the Spicy Awards may withdraw the nomination, shortlist position, finalist status, or award.

3. SUPPORTING MATERIALS & VERIFICATION

3.1 Required Photograph

A high-resolution color photograph of the nominee is required and should be submitted through the nomination platform or provided to:

awards@spicewithoutborders.org

3.2 Recommended Supporting Materials

Supporting evidence may include:

• project summaries;
• impact reports;
• testimonials;
• letters of recommendation;
• awards and certifications;
• media coverage;
• photographs;
• websites or digital portfolios;
• research or publications;
• community testimonials; and
• other evidence demonstrating the nominee’s contribution and impact.

3.3 Evidence and Verification

The Spicy Awards may verify information submitted by nominators or nominees.

Verification may include:

• reviewing publicly available information;
• contacting references;
• requesting additional documentation;
• conducting interviews;
• reviewing media coverage;
• requesting identification or organizational documentation; or
• undertaking reasonable background or due-diligence checks.

3.4 Additional Information

The Jury, Secretariat, or Awarding Board may request additional information at any stage where clarification or verification is necessary.

Failure to provide requested information within a reasonable period may affect eligibility or continued consideration.

3.5 Ownership and Use of Submitted Materials

Submitted materials may be retained by Spice Without Borders and/or the Spicy Awards for legitimate Awards-related purposes, including:

• administration;
• verification;
• judging;
• archival purposes;
• historical records;
• reporting;
• storytelling;
• nominee and winner profiles; and
• promotional and communications activities, subject to applicable privacy and consent requirements.

3.6 No False Claims

Any material dishonesty, fabrication, plagiarism, impersonation, manipulation of evidence, or material misrepresentation may result in immediate disqualification or withdrawal of an award.

4. JUDGING, INDEPENDENCE & CONFIDENTIALITY

4.1 Judging Framework

All competitive category nominations will be assessed using the official SPICE-aligned Scoring Rubric published by the Spicy Awards.

4.2 Jury Composition

A multidisciplinary Jury of approximately 5–9 members may evaluate nominations.

Jury membership may include individuals with relevant expertise across sectors, geographies, lived experience, social impact, enterprise, innovation, creativity, activism, community development, or other relevant fields.

The Founder of Spice Without Borders serves as an ex-officio, non-voting member, unless otherwise formally determined by the governance structure of the Awards.

4.3 Jury Responsibilities

Jury members:

• serve voluntarily unless otherwise agreed;
• receive official recognition for their service;
• review nominations independently;
• apply the published evaluation criteria;
• participate in structured deliberations;
• declare actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest;
• maintain strict confidentiality;
• act impartially and in good faith; and
• comply with the Jury Code of Conduct.

4.4 Conflict of Interest

Every juror must disclose any relationship, financial interest, professional connection, personal relationship, prior involvement, or other circumstance that could influence—or reasonably appear to influence—their impartiality.

Where a conflict exists, the affected juror must recuse themselves from reviewing, scoring, discussing, or voting on the affected nomination.

4.5 Confidentiality

All nomination materials, supporting documentation, scoring sheets, Jury discussions, rankings, comments, recommendations, and deliberations are confidential.

Information is shared strictly on a need-to-know basis for legitimate Awards administration.

4.6 Jury Deliberations

Jurors must not:

• discuss nominations outside the official judging process;
• share scores or rankings;
• disclose confidential Jury comments;
• reveal shortlisted nominees before official announcements;
• lobby for or against a nominee;
• attempt to influence another juror; or
• retain or distribute confidential nomination materials after the judging process except where authorized for legitimate Awards purposes.

4.7 Finality of Jury Decisions

The decision of the Jury on competitive category winners is final.

No nominee, nominator, sponsor, partner, or other participant may lobby, pressure, improperly influence, or directly seek to challenge a juror regarding a judging decision.

4.8 Verification and Revocation

An award may be withdrawn after announcement where material dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation, ineligibility, or other serious misconduct is subsequently established.

5. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT & PEOPLE’S CHOICE

5.1 People’s Choice Award

The Spicy Awards may provide a separate People’s Choice Award through public voting.

The People’s Choice Award is distinct from the competitive category awards determined by the Jury.

5.2 Public Voting

Where public voting is opened, members of the public may vote for eligible participating nominees through the official voting mechanism designated by the Spicy Awards.

Voting may be based on approved nominee profiles, Ones to Watch videos, stories, or other officially published content.

5.3 Public Voting Does Not Determine Jury Awards

Public voting does not replace or override the independent Jury process for the official competitive category awards.

Unless expressly stated otherwise in a specific Awards announcement, Jury scoring determines the official category winners, while public voting determines the People’s Choice Award.

5.4 Ethical Campaigning

Nominees and their supporters may promote their participation provided that campaigns remain ethical, authentic, respectful, and compliant with the published voting rules.

The following are prohibited:

• purchased votes;
• automated voting;
• bots;
• vote manipulation;
• spam;
• impersonation;
• harassment;
• deceptive campaigns;
• threats or coercion; and
• attempts to circumvent voting controls.

5.5 Disqualification from Public Voting

The Spicy Awards may invalidate votes, suspend a voting campaign, or disqualify a nominee from the People’s Choice process where there is evidence of manipulation, fraud, abuse, or other violation of the voting rules.

Such action does not automatically affect the nominee’s eligibility for the Jury-determined category award unless the underlying conduct is relevant to the broader Awards process.

6. ATTENDANCE, PARTICIPATION, WITHDRAWAL & AWARD COLLECTION

6.1 Attendance Expectation

The Spicy Awards Gala is the official ceremony at which winners are announced and recognized.

All nominees and winners are strongly encouraged to attend the Gala in person and participate in the celebration of the Awards.

6.2 Attendance Confirmation and Ticket Requirement

Nominees who intend to attend the Spicy Awards Gala in person must confirm their attendance and reserve their place no later than twelve (12) days before the event date.

Attendance is confirmed through either:

• purchase of the applicable event ticket; or
• acceptance of an official complimentary invitation issued by the Spicy Awards.

6.3 VIP Participation and Awardee Requirement

Where a nominee or winner is required or permitted by the Spicy Awards to participate through a VIP awardee pathway, including circumstances where the individual is unable to attend the Gala in person but wishes to participate remotely, receive special awardee recognition, have the physical trophy processed on their behalf, or access a designated awardee arrangement, the applicable VIP Pass must be purchased, unless the Awarding Board expressly grants a written waiver or alternative arrangement.

The VIP Pass may cover, as applicable:

• award administration;
• award processing;
• special participation arrangements;
• awardee services;
• ceremony-related arrangements; and
• preparation or delivery of physical award materials.

6.4 No Implied Free Attendance

Nomination, shortlisting, finalist status, or selection as a winner does not automatically include free:

• travel;
• accommodation;
• event attendance;
• meals beyond what is included in the applicable ticket;
• VIP access;
• trophy delivery; or
• international shipping.

Any complimentary attendance or other benefit must be expressly confirmed by the Spicy Awards.

6.5 Non-Attendance

A nominee who is unable to attend the Gala in person must notify the organizers in writing no later than twelve (12) days before the event date.

Where applicable, the nominee may designate an authorized representative to attend and accept an award on their behalf.

The representative’s name and contact information must be provided within the required notification period.

6.6 Virtual Participation

At the discretion of the Awarding Board, a nominee or winner who cannot attend in person may be permitted to participate virtually through:

• a pre-recorded acceptance message;
• video presentation;
• remote appearance;
• recorded interview; or
• another format determined by the organizers.

Virtual participation is an accommodation and not an automatic entitlement.

6.7 Physical Trophy and Virtual Participation

Virtual participation does not automatically entitle a nominee or winner to receive a physical trophy free of charge.

Where a virtual arrangement includes the processing, preparation, issuance, or delivery of a physical trophy, the Awarding Board may require the applicable VIP Pass and/or applicable administrative, handling, courier, shipping, customs, or related charges to be paid before the award is released.

6.8 Alternative Recognition

At the discretion of the Awarding Board, an awardee who cannot attend in person may instead receive an alternative form of recognition, which may include:

• a digital certificate;
• official digital award documentation;
• virtual recognition during the Gala;
• publication through official Spicy Awards channels; or
• another appropriate form of recognition.

The form of recognition is determined by the Awarding Board according to the circumstances of the individual case.

6.9 Awarding Board Discretion

The Awarding Board may approve alternative participation, recognition, or award-collection arrangements where strict application of the standard requirements would create an unreasonable barrier to participation.

Any such arrangement must be expressly approved and communicated in writing.

An accommodation granted to one nominee or winner does not create an automatic precedent or entitlement for another.

6.10 Failure to Attend or Provide Notice

A winner who fails to attend, designate an authorized representative, or provide the required advance written notice may be subject to an administrative penalty of up to the applicable dinner ticket cost before their trophy or other award materials are released.

6.11 Trophy Collection

Winners are expected to collect their trophies during the official Awards Ceremony or through an authorized representative.

Where a winner does not attend and does not designate a representative, the organizers may retain the trophy for subsequent collection or delivery subject to applicable charges.

6.12 Uncollected Awards

A winner who fails to collect their trophy within thirty (30) days following the Awards Ceremony may incur collection, storage, administration, packaging, handling, or delivery charges of up to five (5) times the applicable event ticket cost before the trophy is released.

Any trophy remaining unclaimed after ninety (90) days following the event may, at the discretion of the organizers, be forfeited.

6.13 International Delivery

Where a trophy or other physical award must be delivered after the ceremony, the winner is responsible for applicable:

• packaging;
• handling;
• courier;
• international shipping;
• customs;
• duties;
• taxes; and
• other related delivery costs,

unless the Spicy Awards expressly confirms otherwise in writing.

The Spicy Awards is not obligated to provide free international delivery of uncollected or remotely awarded trophies.

6.14 Withdrawal

A nominee wishing to withdraw from the Awards process must notify the organizers in writing at least forty-five (45) days before the Awards Ceremony.

Where nominee profiles, announcements, media features, promotional materials, or other content have already been published, the Spicy Awards reserves the right to retain such materials for archival, historical, institutional, reporting, and record-keeping purposes.

6.15 No Automatic Right to a Physical Trophy

Nomination or selection as a winner does not, by itself, create an automatic entitlement to:

• a physical trophy without attendance;
• free trophy delivery;
• free international shipping;
• free virtual participation;
• free attendance;
• free travel; or
• free accommodation.

6.16 Exceptional Circumstances

The Awarding Board may waive, modify, or replace an attendance, participation, ticketing, or award-collection requirement where exceptional circumstances warrant such action.

Such circumstances may include:

• geographic barriers;
• financial accessibility;
• force majeure;
• travel restrictions;
• safety or security concerns;
• technology limitations;
• unforeseen emergencies; or
• other circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the nominee.

Any waiver or alternative arrangement must be confirmed in writing.

6.17 Acceptance of Participation Conditions

By submitting or accepting a nomination, the nominee and nominator acknowledge that participation in the Spicy Awards is subject to these attendance, participation, ticketing, withdrawal, and award-collection provisions.

7. MEDIA, PUBLICITY & CONSENT

7.1 Event Recording

Spicy Awards events may be photographed, filmed, livestreamed, recorded, or otherwise documented for promotional, editorial, archival, educational, reporting, and institutional purposes.

7.2 Attendance and Media Consent

Attendance at a Spicy Awards event may involve photography, filming, livestreaming, and other media capture.

By attending, participants acknowledge that their image, name, voice, likeness, and participation may appear in official Awards materials, subject to applicable law and the relevant privacy and consent framework.

7.3 Nominee Stories

Nominees and winners may be featured through official Spicy Awards and Spice Without Borders communications, including:

• websites;
• social media;
• press releases;
• videos;
• publications;
• nominee profiles;
• event presentations;
• documentaries;
• impact stories; and
• other Awards-related communications.

7.4 Accuracy and Respect

The Spicy Awards will seek to represent nominee stories accurately, respectfully, and in a manner consistent with the purpose of the Awards.

Nominees may be contacted for clarification where necessary.

7.5 Media Partners

Where appropriate, authorized media partners may receive approved nominee and event information for legitimate Awards-related publicity and coverage.

Confidential nomination and Jury information remains protected in accordance with the confidentiality provisions of these Rules.

8. AMENDMENTS, INTERPRETATION & LIVING RULES

8.1 Living Document

The Spicy Awards Rules & Guidelines are a living document.

They provide the framework for administering the Awards while allowing the programme to evolve in response to experience, operational requirements, emerging circumstances, lessons learned, and the evolving needs of the global changemaker community.

8.2 Right to Amend

Spice Without Borders and the Spicy Awards reserve the right, at their discretion, to:

• amend;
• supplement;
• clarify;
• replace;
• update; or
• introduce additional provisions

to these Rules & Guidelines at any time.

Changes may be made without prior notice where the organizers determine that such action is necessary to protect the integrity, fairness, security, sustainability, accessibility, or proper administration of the Awards.

8.3 Interpretation

The Spicy Awards Awarding Board has final authority to interpret these Rules and determine their application to specific circumstances.

Where ambiguity, inconsistency, omission, or an unforeseen circumstance arises, the Awarding Board may issue an interpretation, clarification, procedural direction, or specific accommodation.

8.4 Exceptional Circumstances

The Awarding Board may make reasonable exceptions, accommodations, or alternative arrangements where circumstances warrant them, including circumstances involving:

• geographic location;
• financial accessibility;
• force majeure;
• health or safety;
• travel restrictions;
• technology;
• security;
• natural disasters;
• political or civil disruptions; or
• other circumstances beyond reasonable control.

8.5 Changes During an Awards Cycle

Where a material change is made after nominations have opened, the organizers will make reasonable efforts to communicate the change to affected nominees, participants, jurors, or other relevant stakeholders.

However, failure to provide individual notification shall not invalidate an amendment, clarification, administrative decision, or procedural measure that the Awarding Board determines is necessary for the proper administration or integrity of the Awards.

8.6 No Retroactive Unfairness

The organizers will seek to avoid applying material changes retrospectively in a manner that unfairly disadvantages a nominee or participant who entered the Awards process in good faith.

Where necessary, the Awarding Board may establish an appropriate transitional arrangement or accommodation.

8.7 Official Version

The version of these Rules published on the official Spicy Awards website, together with any subsequently issued official amendments, clarifications, notices, or administrative directions, constitutes the authoritative framework governing the Awards.

Participants are responsible for referring to the current official version and relevant official communications.

8.8 No Waiver

Failure by the Spicy Awards to immediately enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of that provision or prevent the organizers from enforcing it subsequently.

8.9 Final Administrative Authority

In matters concerning:

• eligibility;
• nominations;
• participation;
• public engagement;
• judging administration;
• award recognition;
• attendance;
• ticketing;
• virtual participation;
• award collection;
• interpretation of these Rules; and
• circumstances not expressly covered by these Rules,

the decision of the Awarding Board shall be final, subject to any express limitations contained in these Rules or applicable law.

8.10 Individual Accommodations

Any waiver, exception, alternative arrangement, or special accommodation granted to an individual nominee, finalist, winner, juror, partner, or participant applies only to that specific circumstance unless expressly stated otherwise.

It does not amend the general Rules or establish an automatic precedent for future cases.

8.11 Participant Acknowledgment

By submitting a nomination, accepting a nomination, participating in the Awards, serving as a juror, attending an Awards event, or otherwise participating in an official Spicy Awards activity, the relevant person or organization acknowledges that:

• they have had the opportunity to review these Rules;
• participation is subject to the applicable Rules;
• the Rules constitute a living framework;
• official amendments and clarifications may be issued; and
• they agree to comply with applicable official requirements and directions.

SCORING RUBRIC

Total: 100 Points

Public Voting

Public voting is not included in the Jury’s 100-point score unless expressly stated otherwise for a particular award.

The People’s Choice Award is determined separately through the official public voting process.

This separation protects the independence of the Jury-determined category awards while providing nominees with a distinct opportunity to engage their communities and receive public recognition.

SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

Nomination submissions should include:

• Completed nomination form
• Nominee biography
• High-resolution color photograph
• Completed category and eligibility declaration
• Narrative responses aligned with SPICE values
• Nominator’s declaration
• Nominator’s contact information
• Confirmation or consent from the nominee where required
• Optional supporting documents, including reports, awards, testimonials, media coverage, photographs, or other evidence

JURY GUIDE & RESPONSIBILITIES

The official Jury Kit may include:

• Detailed SPICE-aligned scoring rubric
• Judging and scoring instructions
• Conflict of Interest Declaration
• Confidentiality Agreement
• Jury Code of Conduct
• Judging timeline and procedures
• Sample scoring sheets
• Nominee evaluation materials
• Deliberation procedures
• Guidance on verification and evidence
• Procedures for recusal and conflicts
• Final recommendation and decision protocols

Every juror is expected to exercise independent judgment, protect confidential information, declare conflicts, and uphold the credibility and integrity of the Spicy Awards.

CONFIDENTIALITY & JUDGING INTEGRITY

All nomination materials, supporting documents, scoring sheets, background checks, interviews, Jury comments, deliberations, rankings, and recommendations are treated as confidential.

Only authorized members of the Spicy Awards Secretariat, Jury, and relevant Awarding Board personnel may access information required for legitimate Awards administration.

Until officially announced:

• nomination status remains confidential;
• Jury scores remain confidential;
• Jury comments remain confidential;
• shortlists remain confidential where applicable;
• finalist information remains subject to official announcement procedures; and
• winners remain confidential until the official announcement.

The Spicy Awards will not sell nomination information or use confidential nomination materials for unrelated commercial purposes.