(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) Tawasul has invited applications for the fourth edition of Riyada GCC Civil Society Leaders Awards (CSLA) which aims to recognise social work by public and private sectors, individuals and civil society organisations within Oman and other GCC countries.''CSLA identifies and recognises public and private institutions, civil society organisations and individuals for outstanding initiatives, which have a sustainable impact on the community or environment. For those who want to participate, application forms are available on Tawasul's website from Monday, and the submission deadline is November 16. The awards ceremony will be held on December 11,'' said Khalid al Haribi, co-founder, Tawasul.Haribi said the initiatives will be judged for its outreach and impact. ''Online voting, which contributes to 40 per cent of an organisation's total score, and a selected jury of experts with experience in public, private and civil society sectors will determine the winners,'' he said.The categories for the awards are best social investment initiative of the year, covering public and private sector organisations and individuals; best civil society organisation of the year, which covers professional and charitable organisations; best civil society leader, which honours a man or woman who best served the society in 2012; and finally a recognition award that honours an individual who has dedicated his or her personal and professional efforts towards a better civil society, which will be judged exclusively by the jury.CSLA aims to highlight the role of civil society initiatives in achieving national objectives and is an initiative by Tawasul to empower civil society organisations and recognise corporate social responsibility efforts that support Oman's development.Shabib al Maamari, executive director of Injaz Oman, which won an award last year, said people should be encouraged to give back to the society.''There is a need for greater commitment to give back to society, and HR departments of private and public organisations should provide incentives to employees who help their communities to keep encouraging them,'' he said.''In future the awards will not only cover GCC countries but will be an international event. We are working on this. This will make the competition tougher but in the long run, it will help encourage more entities towards civil society responsibilities,'' Haribi said.
