STAR Excellence Award for Institutions
The STAR Excellence Award is a prestigious recognition conferred upon NGOs, FPOs, FPCs, Agri-Startups, trusts, and institutions demonstrating remarkable contributions in agriculture and allied sectors, including Community Development, Livelihood Enhancement and security, skill development, capacity building and training of farmers, agri-journalism, rural development, youth empowerment, and women empowerment and gender equality, environmental sustainability. This award will be presented on a competitive basis, fostering a platform for showcasing impactful work and innovative solutions. This award aims to encourage innovation, scalability, and replication of successful initiatives.
Objectives of the Award
- Recognition of Impactful Efforts: To honor NGOs, FPOs, FPCs, Agri-Startups, trusts, and institutions that have significantly contributed to the social and economic development of rural communities, demonstrating transformative outcomes in agriculture development, livelihood security, women, youth and community empowerment, income enhancement, skill development and capacity building, rural development, upliftment of tribal and backward classes and overall welfare.
- Promotion of Sustainable livelihood and Development: To encourage the development of livelihood models that are sustainable, environmentally friendly and adaptable to changing social and economic conditions. To highlight and encourage projects that create long-term, positive impacts on rural areas, supporting the vision of sustainable, inclusive, and community-led growth. To encourage practices that not only boost productivity but are sustainable, resource-efficient, and resilient to climate challenges, ensuring long-term benefits to rural farmers.
- Empowering Rural Communities: To support initiatives that strengthens the economic independence of rural populations, providing them with skills, knowledge, and resources to thrive. To inspire organizations to develop livelihood strategies that foster self-sufficiency and economic resilience among rural communities, particularly for marginalized groups. To celebrate programs that contributes to building robust rural economies by enhancing local employment opportunities and diversifying income sources.
- Encouragement of Best Practices: To create a platform for showcasing successful models and approaches that other organizations can replicate, thereby promoting best practices in rural development.
- Fostering Collaboration: To build a network of NGOs, FPOs, FPCs, Agri-Startups, trusts, and institutions that can collaborate on best practices, share resources, and drive larger-scale adoption of scientific agriculture for rural empowerment. To encourage partnerships between stakeholders in the agriculture sector and other industries, fostering a collaborative environment for addressing rural challenges.
- Empowerment through Knowledge: To facilitate rural communities in accessing and adopting advanced agricultural practices that can enhance their skills, increase their knowledge, and ultimately empower them toward economic self-reliance.
- Boosting Innovation and Scalability: To recognize and reward innovative approaches that address rural issues and have the potential to be scaled or adapted across diverse rural contexts.
Award Categories
The STAR Excellence Award will be presented in various categories to recognize various aspects of agricultural development, livelihoods security, community-based resource management, agricultural advisory services, etc. NGOs, FPOs, FPCs, Agri-Startups, trusts, and institutions will present their work and get the opportunity on competitive basis to win STAR Excellence Award in the following categories:
- STAR Excellence Award for Capacity Building and Skill Development: To honor organizations that have made exceptional contributions to empowering individuals, especially in agriculture and allied sectors, through capacity-building initiatives, vocational trainings and skill development programmmes. This award is aimed at highlighting and rewarding institutions that have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing the skills, knowledge, and competencies of stakeholders in rural and agricultural development, contributing to the sustainable growth of the sector.
- STAR Excellence Award for Rural Livelihoods Security: To recognize efforts that contribute to economic stability in rural areas through sustainable practices, innovative solutions, and inclusive development strategies and projects focused on promoting secure livelihoods in agriculture or related fields, including value-added processing, livestock farming, and agri-business training and development to enhance income diversification and promoting employment opportunities micro-entrepreneurship, and productivity in the agricultural sector. This award seeks to honor organizations that are committed to creating resilient livelihoods, reducing poverty, and improving the quality of life in rural areas, particularly in agriculture and allied sectors.
- STAR Excellence Award for Community-Based Resource Management: To recognize institutions that excel in empowering communities to manage and sustainably utilize natural resources, such as soil and water conservation, forestry, and eco-tourism that generate income while preserving the environment and enhancing both ecological health and rural livelihoods. This award celebrates organizations that engage communities in participatory resource management, promoting a balanced approach to resource use, conservation, and long-term environmental stewardship. This award showcases the value of community involvement in protecting and managing natural resources, supporting a sustainable future for rural areas.
- STAR Excellence Award for Agriculture Development: To recognize institutions that have made transformative contributions to agricultural and development by fostering sustainable farming practices, improving productivity, improved livelihood for farmers and supporting rural communities. This award celebrates organizations committed to advancing agriculture as a driver of economic growth, food security, and environmental sustainability.
- STAR Excellence Award for Agricultural Advisory Services by Agri Clinic: To recognize institutions that have made exceptional contributions to improving agricultural advisory services through the establishment and operation of agri-clinics. These clinics provide essential services and guidance to farmers, helping them adopt scientific practices, manage crop health, and improve productivity and profitability. This award highlights the role of agri-clinics in bringing vital resources, knowledge, and support directly to farmers and rural communities.
- STAR Excellence Award for Agri-Startup: To recognize Agri-Startups those have exemplary contributions in transforming the agriculture sector through innovation, technology adoption, and sustainable practices, creating impactful solutions that address pressing challenges in agriculture, promote efficiency, and contribute to the socio-economic empowerment of farming communities.
Presentation of Award
These awards will be presented in STAR National conference to be held at RARI (SKNAU), Durgapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan during February 25-27, 2025
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the STAR Excellence Award, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Organizational Type: The award is open to NGOs, FPOs, FPCs, Agri-Startups, trusts, and institutions that are officially registered under applicable legal frameworks in their respective regions.
- Operational History: Organizations should have a minimum of one year of verifiable operations at the time of application.
- Geographical Focus: The initiatives or programs should primarily target rural areas, aiming to drive economic, social, or environmental benefits for local communities.
- Proven Track Record: Applicants must demonstrate measurable impact in community empowerment, inclusive growth, or other relevant domains, supported by evidence such as reports, testimonials, and quantitative data.
- Alignment with STAR Society Objectives: Initiatives should reflect the STAR Society’s focus on agriculture development, livelihood enhancement, poverty alleviation, or community-led growth.
Participation
- Registration: Any eligible NGOs, FPOs, FPCs, Agri-Startups, trusts, and institutions that wishes to compete for the STAR Excellence Award must register in mentioned any one of the categories and participate in the STAR Conference and Award.
- Presentation: Shortlisted institutions are required to present their work, projects or initiatives at the conference, highlighting achievements, challenges addressed, and overall impact. This approach allows a transparent and interactive review of each organization’s work.
- Evaluation: Expert Committee evaluates presentations based on predetermined criteria.
- Final Selection: Committee selects winners for each category.
Evaluation Process
A specially constituted award committee will evaluate presentations based on criteria including:
- Impact on Target Communities and Outcomes: Measured by tangible improvements in livelihoods, empowerment levels, and sustainable practices.
- Innovation and Creativity: Consideration of new approaches or methods that add value to the agriculture sector or community development. Consideration of Unique solutions to social problems and effective use of technology.
- Sustainability and Financial Viability: The potential for long-term success and adaptability of the project. Multiple funding sources and revenue streams, consistent and stable financial performance, efficient use of resources and assets, strategic planning and vision for future growth, etc. will be considered.
- Collaboration and Outreach: How well the organization has collaborated with other entities, like research institutes, FPOs, or private partners. Collaborative approaches to social impact
- Scalability and Replicability: Potential for the project to be scaled or replicated in similar contexts. Replicability of models and interventions, potential for national or international expansion, ability to respond to changing circumstances, willingness to pivot or adjust strategies will be key considerations
- Community Engagement and Participation: Consideration of extent of community participation in decision-making processes, level of community ownership and empowerment, effective communication with beneficiaries, partners, and stakeholders, active feedback mechanisms .
- Governance and Transparency: Clear and accessible financial reporting, audited financial statements and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.
After presentations, the committee will deliberate and decide on the awardees, which will be formally recognized during the conference awards ceremony.
Award Components
Recipients of the STAR Excellence Award will receive:
- Certificate of Excellence: A formal certificate recognizing the recipient's exceptional contribution.
- Memento: A STAR-branded memento symbolizing excellence in the field.
- Cash award: Rs. 25000.0 for each category
- Mentorship Opportunity: Access to a network of advisors and partners to support the organization’s future goals.
Award Components
Recipients of the STAR Excellence Award will receive:
- National recognition and credibility
- Increased visibility and funding opportunities
- Networking with stakeholders and potential partners
- Capacity building and training opportunities
- Inspiration to other Institutions
By setting up this competitive platform, STAR encourages NGOs and allied institutions to innovate, collaborate, and continuously raise the standard of community-driven development in agriculture.
