IFSA Excellence Awards 2023

As an international student-led organization, IFSA is the epitome of youth excellence in the field of forestry and related sciences. Every year, selected IFSA officials are awarded the “IFSA Official of the Year” to honor their hard work and dedication in their official positions. For the first time last year, the IFSA Board created the “IFSA Excellence Awards” to broaden this recognition to the Local Committees and individual members. This year, the 2023 IFSA Excellence Awards will be presented at the 51st International Forestry Students’ Symposium in Germany.

Categories

Outstanding IFSA Member Excellence Award

This is IFSA’s highest honor for the individual excellence of a Local Committee member. This award recognizes any IFSA active member who has shown outstanding service in their respective LC and dedication in forestry and related fields. They must manifest, if not all, most of the goals of IFSA: (1) strengthen the IFSA community; (2) take learning beyond the classroom; and (3) enable students to engage globally. 

Qualifications 

The Outstanding IFSA Member Excellence Awards is open to nominees who meet the following qualifications:

  1. Must not be an IFSA Official or Commissioner; 
  2. Must currently be a member of an IFSA Local Committee;
  3. Has led at least two (2) initiatives related to forestry in their respective Local Committees (LCs) from 2022 to 2023; 
  4. Preferably their initiatives have made a significant contribution to forestry and related fields. 

Criteria

  • Contribution to IFSA – 40%
  • Activeness/Involvement in IFSA – 30%
  • Motivation – 30%

Outstanding IFSA Local Committee Excellence Award

This is IFSA’s highest honor for the excellence of Local Committees (LCs). This award recognizes any IFSA Local Committee who has shown outstanding service in their respective universities, country, and/or region and dedication in forestry and related fields.   They must manifest, if not all, most of the goals of IFSA: (1) strengthen the IFSA community; (2) take learning beyond the classroom; and (3) enable students to engage globally. 

Qualifications 

The Outstanding IFSA Local Committee Excellence Awards is open to nominees who meet the following qualifications:

  1. Must currently be an IFSA Local Committee; 
  2. Founded for least one (1) year on the day of application and is currently operating;
  3. Held at least two (2) flagship activities that are aligned to forestry from 2022 to 2023; 

Criteria

  • Contribution to IFSA – 40%
  • Activeness/Involvement in IFSA – 30%
  • Motivation – 30%

Outstanding LC Project of the Year

This is IFSA’s highest honor for the most outstanding LC Project of the Year. This award recognizes the excellence of a Local Committee’s Project for the year 2022-2023 that has made a significant impact on forestry and related fields in their respective countries/regions.  Their projects must manifest, if not all, most of the goals of IFSA: (1) strengthen the IFSA community; (2) take learning beyond the classroom; and (3) enable students to engage globally. 

Qualifications 

The Outstanding LC Project of the Year Award is open to nominated projects that meet the following qualifications:

  1. Must have been implemented by a current IFSA Local Committee; 
  2. Implemented a maximum of one year prior to the day of application;
  3. Must have made a significant contribution to IFSA and preferably forestry and related fields in their country and/or region; 

Criteria

  • Contribution to IFSA – 40%
  • Impact of project – 30%
  • Relevance of project to IFSA goals – 30%

Protocols

Nomination 

Call for Nominations 

  • The call for nominations for the IFSA Excellence Awards 2023 will be done and announced on the official social media accounts and website of IFSA. 

Nomination Process

  • All nominations and supporting documents/information must be completed and submitted to the IFSA Excellence Awards 2023 Nomination Forms. 
  1. The nominees should provide a video describing their achievements and their significance to forestry (or related fields) and why the nominee should receive the award 
  2. Supplementary information such as recommendation or endorsement letter from credible endorsers (e.g. dean, chancellor), certificates can be submitted to support the application of the nominee. Please take note that this is not required but is encouraged. 
  3. Nominations will not be processed successfully if any of the required fields are left blank or not filled adequately. 
  4. The nomination of any LC/Member/Project based on their qualifications and completion of the nomination form shall be valid no later than the given deadline. 
  5. Application forms must be completed with the following requirements:
  1. Completion of the IFSA Excellence Awards nomination form; 
  2. A 2-minute video describing the LC/Member/Project’s achievements, the importance of their work, and why the applicant should receive the award this year (which will be posted on YouTube); 
  3. Article of LC/Member/Project (which will be posted on the IFSA Website)
  4. Supplementary Information
  5. A recommendation or endorsement letter from credible sponsors (e.g. dean, chancellor) in support of the application is optional for all awards and will be considered as an asset;
  • The selection of nominees is still subject to the approval of the IFSA Awards Committee based on their qualifications and their completion of the nomination process; 
  • The nominee must ensure the certain and factual accuracy of the information submitted. Any cheating, falsification of documents or information, and of the same kind will be automatically disqualified. 

Article

  • The article of the LC/Member/Project shall contain the necessary information that supports the application of the nominee. 
  • The article shall contain the following information:
  1. Name of the LC/Member/Project
  2. Category of IFSA Excellence Awards you have applied for
  3. Achievements of the LC/Member/Project
  4. Why should you win the applied category of the IFSA Excellence Awards 2023?
  5. Any other relevant information
  • The nominee may include up to two (2) relevant images in the article. 
  • The article must not exceed 800 words. 
  • The article will be posted on the IFSA Website after the IFSA Selection Committee has finalized the list of nominees in each category. 

Disqualification 

  • If the applicant does not meet all the necessary requirements or does not complete a part of the application process, the application will be forfeited; 
  • If the applicant is found to be cheating, falsifying documents or information, and bribery of an IFSA member, they will be automatically disqualified; and 
  • If the applicant fails to submit all requirements within the given deadline, they will be disqualified. 

Selection Process

  • The 2-minute video of the nominee will be posted on the official YouTube channel of IFSA for public viewing;
  • The article of the nominee will be published on the IFSA website for public viewing;
    • Applicants who use explicit language in their video and article, accidental or not, will automatically be disqualified. 
  • The Awards Committee will review the applications of the nominees with consideration of the given criteria.

Notification of Awardees

  • The winning nominees shall be notified through an email. 
  • Any process that is deemed necessary by the IFSA Board after the finalization of the awardees shall be followed. 

Presentation of Awards

  • The winners will be announced during the IFSA Excellence Awards Session in the 51st International Forestry Students’ Symposium in Germany. Date of awarding will be announced. 
  • The awardees will be presented on the official social media platforms and website of IFSA. 

Link to Nomination Forms

  1. Outstanding IFSA Member Excellence Award: https://bit.ly/IFSAMemberOfTheYear
  2. Outstanding IFSA LC Project of the Year: https://bit.ly/IFSALCProjectOfTheYear
  3. Outstanding IFSA Local Committee Excellence Award: https://bit.ly/IFSALCofTheYear

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can make an application?

  • Only bona fide IFSA Local Committee members can submit an application and only one application for each category is accepted.

Can an LC/Member/Project be nominated for several awards?

  • Yes, as long as the applicant submits all the requirements and is eligible for the award. 

How to submit an application?

  • Supply the details and requirements needed in the IFSA Excellence Awards Nomination Form. 

When is the deadline for applications?

  • The application form will close on August 11, 2023 (Friday) at exactly 11:59 PM UTC+0.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the nomination/application guidelines, please contact internal.councilor@ifsa.net