Why this matters

For the fourth year in a row, Apolitical is celebrating innovative, groundbreaking teams that are changing the game through our Public Service Team of the Year Awards. This has been a challenging year, and public servants have been pushed to be more creative, innovative, and thoughtful than ever before — and we want to celebrate their work.

How the finalists were selected

We received nominations from teams all over the world. We then reviewed each nomination individually, and a panel of judges at Apolitical decided on a shortlist of teams for each category. Winners and runners-up were then selected based on votes from public servants around the world.

How to vote

Voting has now closed; see the winners and runners-up below.

Climate Heroes

This category recognises public service teams who are working to make a greener, more sustainable future for themselves and their communities. From recycling e-waste programmes to inclusive planning for urban climate refuges, these innovative teams are running creative and impactful projects.

Winner

CivTech Alliance COP26 Global Scale Up Programme Team, Scotland

Runner-up

eRevival Square Initiative, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, SGTech and the Sustainable Living Lab, Singapore

Community Innovators

The teams in this category are recognised for their innovative, groundbreaking projects to give back to their communities. Whether they're bringing public service communities together, or providing virtual services to a geographically dispersed community, they're teams that embody the ethos of community-centric public service.

Winner

The Brazilian National School of Public Administration’s ‘Leading for Development’ programme, Brazil

Runner-up

The Institute of Dominicans Abroad (INDEX), the Vice Ministry for Dominican Communities Abroad and the Ministry of Women's assistance programme, Dominican Republic

Data and Digital Champions

It's well known that data and digital skills are some of the most important ones public servants can develop; these are the teams leading the charge. They're not only undertaking their own digital transformation journeys — they're bringing others along with them.

Winner

Data Literacy Training Initiative at Statistics Canada

Runner-up

Observa, Office of Studies and Statistics, Ministry of Science, Chile

Equity and Fairness Advocates

These public service teams know that progress for anyone has to include progress for everyone. This category recognises teams who are going above and beyond to promote equity and fairness, within the public service and in the broader community.

Winner

Equity and Inclusion Assurance Team at NHS Test and Trace (NHSTT), UK

Runner-up

Nookomis Nibi Biijigozi Advisory Circle, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)

User-Centred Policy Makers and Policy Deliverers

The teams in this category are being recognised for putting users at the heart of what they do. Whether they're improving residential elder care or helping plot rural land, they're running innovative projects that put the needs of users first.

Winner

Public Innovation Team of the Department of National Planification, Colombia Government

Runner-up

BUPi, Digital Cadaster and Registry Mission Unit, Portugal