What judges actually look for — straight from the head judge
Transform Gov - the digital government podcastShow Notes
An insider's guide to a brilliant entry for the Ireland eGovernment Awards
Most teams think awards are about technology, scale, or budget.
They’re not.
On this episode of Transform Gov, we sit down with Declan Tuite, Head Judge of the Ireland eGovernment Awards, and Maeve Kneafsey, to break down what really separates winning entries from the rest.
Why strong projects fall short. What judges are actually looking for. And how to turn your work into a clear, compelling entry.
Because here’s the truth:
The difference between winning and losing is often not the project — it’s how it’s explained.
If you’re planning to enter the Ireland eGovernment Awards 2026, start here. Ready to enter? You can find step-by-step guides to entry on our website https://digitalgovawards.com/enter/resources/
Chapters 00:00 – Why this episode matters: helping you win 00:30 – Entries now open: key dates and deadlines 01:10 – Meet the head judge: Declan Tuite 02:00 – The #1 mistake applicants make 02:40 – It’s not the tech — it’s the story 03:20 – What judges actually look for 04:00 – Before and after: showing real impact 04:40 – Proof, not promises: using stats and evidence 05:30 – Who is the user? Why it matters 06:10 – Avoid this: jargon and over-explaining 06:50 – Innovation vs real-world results 07:30 – Picking the right category (and why it matters) 08:20 – Start early: why timing improves your entry 09:00 – Using supporting documents and visuals 09:40 – Writing clearly: answering the actual questions 10:20 – What makes an entry stand out 11:10 – Small projects can win (and do) 12:00 – Step-by-step: how to enter online 13:10 – Register, save, refine: how the system works 14:00 – Entering multiple categories 14:50 – What happens after you submit 16:00 – Final advice from the head judge 17:00 – Deadline reminder and key dates 18:00 – Why you should enter (even if unsure)
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