🏁 SayPro Judging Period: Proposal Evaluation Process
📌 Stage: Post-Submission Proposal Evaluation
Duration: 1 – 30 September 2025
Managed by: SayPro Professionals Office + Independent Evaluation Panel
Objective: To identify the most promising innovations based on originality, feasibility, social impact, and scalability.
🎯 Purpose of the Judging Period
The judging period is designed to:
- Evaluate the merit of each submitted innovation proposal
- Ensure fairness, transparency, and consistency in assessment
- Select a group of high-potential finalists to advance to the SayPro Innovation Showcase
- Recognize projects with the capacity to deliver measurable change in society using applied science or technical knowledge
👥 Composition of the Judging Panel
The SayPro Evaluation Panel includes:
- Subject-matter experts (academics, researchers, professionals)
- Sectoral reviewers (e.g., in health, environment, finance, education)
- Community development practitioners
- SayPro internal evaluators and regional officers
- At least 2 independent observers (external to SayPro)
Each proposal is reviewed by at least 3 qualified judges to avoid bias and ensure balanced scoring.
📄 What Judges Receive
For each submission, judges are given access to:
- ✅ Final Proposal Document (PDF or Word)
- ✅ Technical Documentation or Research Report
- ✅ Pitch Video (max 5 minutes)
- ✅ Prototype or MVP (link, screenshots, or demo video)
- ✅ Feedback from draft review stage (if applicable)
- ✅ Review Scorecard and Rubric
All documents are anonymized (where possible) to reduce reviewer bias.
🧪 Evaluation Criteria & Scoring Framework
Each project is scored based on the following weighted criteria:
| Evaluation Category | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 🔬 1. Originality & Innovation | Novelty of the idea, uniqueness of solution, creative use of science/tech | 20% |
| ⚙️ 2. Feasibility & Execution | Realism of the implementation plan, quality of MVP, risk management | 20% |
| 🌍 3. Social or Environmental Impact | Likely effect on lives, communities, systems, or ecosystems | 20% |
| 🌱 4. Scalability & Sustainability | Potential to expand, replicate, or be sustained over time | 20% |
| ✍️ 5. Clarity & Documentation | Presentation, technical writing, quality of pitch video, supporting research | 20% |
Scoring Range: 0–10 per subcategory
Total Score: 0–100
Each reviewer submits both:
- 📊 A numerical scorecard
- 📝 A written justification or comment summary
🕵️ Judging Process Workflow
🔹 Step 1: Assignment
Projects are grouped by sector (e.g., education, health) and assigned to relevant reviewers based on expertise.
🔹 Step 2: Independent Review
Each judge independently reviews submissions and fills out a digital scorecard.
🔹 Step 3: Panel Deliberation (Mid to Late September)
Reviewers meet virtually to discuss top-scoring projects, address discrepancies, and recommend adjustments.
🔹 Step 4: Finalist Selection
Top-scoring submissions are ranked and selected for:
- 🥇 Innovation Showcase Invitations
- 🏅 Certificates of Recognition
- 💰 Funding or partnership offers (if applicable)
- 🧠 Further incubation or mentorship support
All final decisions are documented and approved by the SayPro Oversight Committee to ensure integrity.
🎖️ Outputs of the Judging Period
At the end of the judging period:
- 📢 Finalists are notified via email
- 📄 Feedback reports are compiled for all applicants
- 🏆 Top projects are publicly announced on SayPro channels
- 📊 Statistics and insights are shared via SayPro’s Knowledge Hub
📋 Post-Evaluation Feedback for Participants
Each participant will receive:
- Their overall score (0–100)
- Category-by-category ratings
- Reviewer comments and suggestions (summarized)
- Invitation to improve and reapply or join SayPro professional programs
🛡️ Fairness, Confidentiality, and Ethics
SayPro ensures:
- Confidential handling of submissions
- Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with judges
- No conflict of interest between judges and applicants
- Diversity in the judging panel to prevent bias
- Option for participants to appeal or request clarification on feedback
🗓️ Judging Timeline Overview
| Phase | Date Range | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Reviewer Briefing | 1–3 September | Judges trained and briefed |
| Independent Scoring | 4–15 September | Online review of all submissions |
| Panel Deliberations | 16–24 September | Evaluation meetings and ranking |
| Finalization & Validation | 25–27 September | Score audit and oversight approval |
| Finalists Notified | 28–30 September | Emails, certificates, next steps shared |
📞 Support During Judging Period
Participants may reach out to:
- SayPro Helpdesk: for updates, technical issues, or concerns
- Email: professionals@saypro.org.za
- Live Chat: Available on SayPro website, Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm SAST
🧠 Tips for Participants (If Still Preparing)
- Ensure your pitch video is clear and concise
- Use real data or evidence wherever possible
- Highlight potential impact — not just what you’ve built
- Show scalability beyond the prototype stage
- Proofread your documents and follow the format
Would you like:
- A judge’s evaluation rubric template (PDF or editable version)?
- A reviewer training guide to onboard your judging panel?
- Help designing the online scoring portal?
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