King Khalid Award for Saudis in Social Entrepreneurship | Free Entry!
Applicant criteria
- 18 - 60
- Both
Opportunity criteria
Opportunity description
he King Khalid Award aims to promote innovation in addressing social and economic issues in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by honoring initiatives that provide sustainable solutions with tangible social impact. The award supports the development and capacity building of pioneering initiatives that address community challenges in innovative ways, contributing to achieving sustainable and comprehensive development.
Target Categories:
The award is open to initiatives under the following categories:
- Voluntary Social Initiatives (for individuals or groups)
- Non-Profit Initiatives (endowment organizations)
- Social Entrepreneurship Initiatives (social enterprises)
Benefits of Participating in the Award:
For Participants:
- Priority acceptance into the Social Entrepreneurship Project for qualifying initiatives.
- Invitation to attend the awards ceremony under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
- Participation in an Performance Development Workshop in collaboration with the consulting entity.
- Receipt of an performance report to improve work quality and maximize impact.
For Winners:
- 1st place: Golden Shield + 250,000 SAR
- 2nd place: Silver Shield + 150,000 SAR
- 3rd place: Bronze Shield + 100,000 SAR
- Winners will be honored during the official ceremony under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
Nomination Conditions and Criteria:
The founder or person responsible for the initiative must be a citizen or resident of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and must be at least 18 years old.
Nominations will only be accepted from the individuals who are the founders or responsible for the initiative. Nominations from the following will not be accepted:
- Government entities
- Non-profit organizations
- Private sector entities (except for social entrepreneurship enterprises and endowment companies or institutions)
Nominations from King Khalid Foundation staff, their relatives, or members of the advisory committees involved in the evaluation will not be accepted.
All required forms and attachments must be completed and submitted for the nomination to be accepted.
The founder or person responsible for the initiative must have a good reputation, based on the following criteria:
- No legal judgment against them that affects honor and integrity, unless their status has been restored.
- They must not be involved in violence, unrest, terrorism, or incitement to such actions.
- They must not have any activities that contradict the laws or official policies of the state, or harm the public interest.
The nominated initiatives must be implemented and not just an idea.
Nominations must be submitted via the award’s official online portal.
Only one nomination form may be submitted per initiative.
The nominated initiatives must not be registered under the ownership of official entities.
Initiatives that have previously won the King Khalid Award are not eligible for nomination.
The nominated initiative must still be active or have been completed within one year of submitting the nomination.
Evaluation Criteria:
The nominations for voluntary work or initiatives will be evaluated based on:
- Positive impact
- Sustainability
- Creativity and innovation
- Potential for growth and expansion
About King Khalid Foundation:
King Khalid Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting equal opportunities in Saudi Arabia by empowering individuals and organizations to address social and economic challenges. The foundation works to achieve sustainable impact by investing in initiatives that promote social justice and provide equal opportunities for growth and prosperity.
The foundation focuses on three main areas: social investment, capacity building, and advocacy. Through social investment, individuals and organizations contributing to a fairer environment are supported. Capacity building aims to empower non-profit organizations and businesses to achieve long-term social and economic impact. Advocacy efforts aim to enhance policies supporting sustainable development and raise awareness of important social issues.
The foundation’s strategy is based on the principles of transparency, accountability, and collective innovation, where the citizen is at the heart of the strategy, believing that equal opportunity is a fundamental right for every individual in society. The foundation adopts a flexible and ambitious approach to facing challenges, focusing on creative thinking and finding innovative solutions that have a tangible impact.
Frequently Asked Questions about the King Khalid Award:
Can I apply for the King Khalid Award for Development Partners?
Yes, self-nominations for the King Khalid Award for Development Partners are accepted.
Can Saudi citizens living abroad apply individually or as a group for the King Khalid Award for Development Partners?
Yes, they can apply, provided that the initiative serves the country and its citizens.
Is it required that the initiative be fully implemented before applying for the award?
No, however, the initiative must be ongoing or have been implemented during the past or current year.
Can an initiative be nominated if it is part of a job or responsibility for an individual or group that receives compensation?
No, initiatives related to an individual or group receiving compensation are not eligible for nomination (except for employees of social entrepreneurship organizations and endowment institutions).
Does the nomination include cash donations or financial or in-kind assistance?
The nominated initiative must focus on addressing or contributing to solving a pressing social or economic issue in Saudi society.
Are there any fees to participate in the award?
Participation in the King Khalid Award, in all its categories, is free of charge.
Can I nominate more than one initiative for the award?
The founder or leader of the initiative can nominate up to two initiatives, with each initiative submitted on a separate form.
Is the King Khalid Award for Development Partners held annually?
No, the King Khalid Award in all its categories is held every two years.