JCI Belgium
JCI Belgium awards 2026
Why JCI Belgium awards?
Being recognised for who you are and what you do – that is the essence of the JCI Belgium Awards.
We are a youth organization that develops active citizens into responsible leaders. The JCI Belgium Awards are the national expression of the international JCI recognition program, with one clear purpose: to put the spotlight on local organizations that make an exceptional difference.
Every year, projects are submitted that align with the JCI mission: creating positive change at the individual, economic and community level. The national awards also serve as a stepping stone: a project recognised at national level can advance to international JCI competitions, where Belgium competes against JCI organizations from more than 100 countries.
The awards are presented at the annual national convention of JCI Belgium. In 2026, this event takes place in Genk on 19 September – an evening that celebrates commitment, creativity and impact.
Key deadlines 2026
Mark these dates in your calendar. Missing a deadline results in automatic disqualification.
Prefer reading the manual at your own pace? DOWNLOAD the JCI Belgium award 2026 manual here.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 10 July 2026, 23:59 | Pre-entry deadline — register your intention to participate and nominate at least 1 jury candidate per submitting organization |
| 11 July 2026, 00:01 | Award templates and submission link available via SharePoint |
| 25 August 2026, 23:59 | Deadline for submitting the complete award entry by the local president or secretary general |
| 13 September 2026, 23:59 | Deadline for jury members to submit their scores |
| 19 September 2026 | JCI Belgium Awards ceremony (National Convention in Genk) |
The 11 award categories
The JCI Belgium awards are based on the international JCI recognition program (Group B: Awards to Local Organizations). Each local organization may submit only one project per category, and a project may only be entered in one category.
1. Best Local Community Impact Program
Projects run by local organizations to promote economic and societal growth, extend the JCI Mission and strengthen brand recognition.
2. Best Local Growth and Development Program
Programs aimed at sustainable membership growth through strong value propositions that attract new members and retain existing ones.
3. Best Local Global Goals Project
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4. Best Local Business and Entrepreneurship Program
Programs that develop leadership skills through innovative business and entrepreneurial efforts to create the mindset of a global entrepreneur.
5. Best Local JCI RISE Project
Projects that contribute to making economies and workforces more resilient through the JCI RISE pillars: Rebuild, Invest, Sustain and Evolve.
6. Best International Cooperation Project
Programmes in which local organizations collaborate with other JCI organizations internationally to build strong cross-border partnerships.
7. Best Inter-organization Collaboration Project
Partnerships between a local JCI organization and external organizations outside of JCI, generating mutual benefit in terms of brand awareness, membership and financial sustainability.
8. Most Outstanding New Local Organization
A newly formed local organization that has done exceptional work carrying out the JCI Mission within its first years of existence.
9. Most Outstanding Local Organization
The local organization that excelled across the full breadth of the JCI mission: individual development, community impact, economic growth and international engagement.
10. Best International Human Duties Project
Initiatives that actively promote the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Duties for Leaders through responsible leadership and measurable impact.
11. Best Local Individual Development Program
Programs that develop individual members into enterprising leaders through impactful learning experiences and strong programme execution.
Special JCI Belgium awards
In addition to the 11 regular categories, JCI Belgium presents four special awards that are not part of the international programme.
1. Award for Best Collaboration (JCI Vlaanderen × JCI Belgium Wallonie Bruxelles)
This award recognises local organizations from two different regions that collaborate on a joint project. Evaluation criteria include originality, cooperation, member involvement and integration of the four JCI domains.
2. Award for Best District
This award honours local organizations within a JCI Belgium district that work together on joint projects. Evaluation is based on planning, execution, originality and cross-organization collaboration.
3. Best Project Award
No separate entry required. This special award is automatically granted to the project with the highest overall score across all categories.
4. Staines Memorial Award
No separate entry required. The winner is determined by the national board of directors of JCI Belgium 2026.
How to enter the JCI Belgium awards
Participating in the national awards follows four steps.
- Check eligibility. Your project must have been executed in line with the JCI Mission, during the period September 2025 – 25 August 2026. It must not have won an award at a previous national convention and may only be entered in one category.
- Submit a pre-entry before 10 July 2026. Do this via the official online form. Each participating organization must also nominate at least one jury candidate. Without a pre-entry, final submission is not possible.
- Receive the templates on 11 July 2026. After your pre-entry, you will receive an email with a link to the award templates and the official SharePoint submission link.
- Submit your complete entry before 25 August 2026 at 23:59. Only the local president or the secretary general may submit the entry. Entries may be written in Dutch, French or English — English is recommended for potential international reuse.
Technical issues? Contact Catherine Thise via email or WhatsApp.
Jury and evaluation process
The JCI Belgium awards are evaluated by an independent jury composed of active JCI members. The Immediate Past-President (IPP) Catherine Thise serves as chair of the jury. Every submitted entry is assessed by a minimum of four different jury members. No jury member may evaluate an entry from their own local organization, and no more than two members from the same organization may assess the same entry. The judging process is strictly confidential.
Jury members who fail to submit their scores within the given deadline cause the disqualification of all entries from their own local organization – a serious consequence that all organizations should be aware of when nominating jury candidates.
Interested in becoming a jury member? Submit your candidacy via the official form, indicating which languages (NL/FR/EN) you are able to evaluate entries in.
National Convention 2026
Not yet registered? Have a look at our dedicated event page what you can expect from the 2026 National Convention in Genk. Or go straight to their ticket page.
Frequently asked questions about the JCI Belgium awards
Who can participate in the JCI Belgium awards?
Every local JCI organization (LOM) that complies with the statutes and bylaws of JCI Belgium – including ROI/RIO requirements – can submit an award entry. The entry must be approved by the local president. Organizations collaborating on a joint project may submit one shared entry, approved by all local presidents involved.
What is the deadline for the JCI Belgium awards 2026?
The pre-entry deadline is 10 July 2026 at 23:59. The complete award entry must be submitted by 25 August 2026 at 23:59. The award ceremony takes place on 19 September 2026 in Genk.
Can a project be entered in more than one category?
No. A project may only be entered in one category. Each local organization may also submit only one project per category.
In which language should I write my entry?
Entries may be submitted in Dutch, French or English. JCI Belgium recommends English, as it facilitates reuse of the application for international JCI submissions.
What if my project spans more than one year?
Multi-year projects are eligible, but the most significant part of the project must have taken place between September 2025 and 25 August 2026. A project that was already submitted for an award in a previous year is not eligible.
Where does the JCI Belgium awards ceremony 2026 take place?
The awards are presented on 19 September 2026 during the national convention of JCI Belgium in Genk.
Ready to submit your project for the JCI Belgium awards? Submit your pre-entry before 10 July 2026 via the official form or contact Catherine via email.
