In 2018, the Task Force established the annual awards scheme to recognize those that are making an exceptional contributions to reducing the burden of NCDs and improving mental health.
A call for nominations is issued in the spring of each year with awards announced in September during the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly.
In recent years awards have been made in three categories:
- Ministries of health and government health agencies;
- Ministries and government agencies outside health;
- Non-governmental organizations, academia and foundations.
Winners are selected on the basis of demonstrative commitment to multisectoral action in preventing and controlling the NCD-related SDGs (at local, national, regional or international level) and improving mental health with particular weight given to nominations that demonstrated evidence of one or more of the following:
- New and innovative activities;
- Acting as an exemplar for others;
- Overcoming significant obstacles;
- Demonstrating outstanding leadership;
- Mobilizing resources, knowledge or expertise.
The awards not only recognize exceptional contributions but also underscore the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving NCD-related Sustainable Development Goals.