The Award recognises teams that display and can prove great achievements in project and programme management. Applicants compete within the Small-/Medium-sized Project category and are judged individually by a qualified international Judges based on an Application Report. After the competition, Applicants receive a Feedback Report from the Judges describing the strengths and areas for improvement on the selected Project Excellence Model criteria.

Category Social / Regional Development / Community Service: cultural, volunteer or not-for-profit delivered projects as well as projects that are conducted to achieve (sustainable) development goals. Projects that realise social and economic benefit to a city or region.

Finalists are offered a pre-paid ticket to the IPMA World Congress and the Gala and an entry to the IPMA Awards Winners Club.