Submit voluntary projects for award from May 1

By Zainab Al Nasseri — MUSCAT: April 16 - The voluntary projects for the fifth edition of Sultan Qaboos Award for Voluntary Work can be submitted between May 1 and August 30, according to the main awards committee. The award is granted to the most ‘inspiring projects’ as well as the ‘most effective’ ones. Projects should be registered on the website of the Ministry of Social Development (www.mosd.gov.om/HMV) during this period. Civil associations, individuals as well as social and health committees headed by Shaikhs in Wilayats can apply for the awards in different categories: business, environment, information technology, sports, heritage, civil defence, society, health, the disabled, childhood and youth, media, arts and culture, charity, education and women’s affairs. Associations should be registered in the Sultanate. They should provide a snapshot of their contribution in the field of social work and their works should be consistent with the social, economic and cultural development programmes and plans implemented by the government. Individual participants must be Omani and activists in a centre or society engaged in social service. Their works should meet the ministry’s social and economic criteria. They should submit the projects along with a written declaration of their ownership of the project. The award was first launched in 2011 to recognise voluntary works that have made an impact on society.