Bus Centre of Excellence - Collaboration Award

The Collaboration Award recognises the importance of effective relationships with other organisations and/or sectors to deliver real solutions and recognises those that have shown dedication to working in collaboration. 

We expect the collaboration to be across multiple organisations but the submission must include at least one Public Sector Organisation. 

Entrants will explain how collaborative working added value to the project outcomes and what role it played in enhancing relationships and engagement.

Submissions should focus on the key activities undertaken to stimulate and promote collaboration, the methods and practices adopted, and the outcomes achieved. 

Entries can be single projects and schemes or wider programmes of work and strategies to support and improve collaboration. 

BCoE Collaboration Award Criteria

Each submission must include the following:

Executive summary (maximum 100 words) - not scored  

Provide us with an overview of your entry. Tell us how collaboration between teams from different organisations has enhanced the success of the project. Tell us how this project showcases successful collaborative practices between organisations. Be clear, concise and tell us why your work is worth further attention. 

Objective: What was the project, what was its goal and what were the roles of the different teams in achieving that goal? (maximum 250 words) - 10 marks  

Provide us with a clear definition of the roles performed by the team(s) from different organisations and why they were essential for achieving the goals of the project. Focus on how the contribution of each team was valuable to the success of the project.   

Judges will be looking for entries that can explain what principles were used to collaboratively develop the work and set the targets of the project.  

Delivery: How has this work been delivered? (maximum 250 words) - 10 marks   

Please describe the key milestones for the successful implementation of the work.  

Focus on the methods and practices adopted, including management and communication with stakeholders.  

The judges are particularly interested in the steps taken to ensure contribution from all members, continuity, commitment to process and commitment to collaboration.  

Results: What have been the results and wider impacts? (maximum 250 Words) - 30 marks   

Please describe the results of your work providing quantitative and qualitative evidence.  

The judges will reward applications that can demonstrate through key performance measures:  

  • If and how you have delivered the outcome you were trying to achieve  

  • How you delivered value for money 

  • How collaboration improved efficiency 

Evaluation and Improvement:  How did collaboration improve the activity or project? (maximum 250 words) - 20 marks  

Please tell us how collaboration make the activity or project successful.  

Your submission should focus on:  

  • How relationships changed and improved over time 

  • What the impacts on the different organisations are  

  • What the lessons and competences have been learnt for future projects  

  • How these lessons will be taken forward 

Judges will be interested in understanding how engaging with different organisations improved the management, workflow and outcomes of the project. 

Eligibility 

  • All local transport authorities, companies, organisations, activities and projects demonstrating collaboration within the bus sector in England are eligible.

  • Important: your submission for this Award must include the involvement of at least one Public Sector organisation to be eligible, for example a Local Transport Authority. Submissions which demonstrate collaboration but do not include the involvement of a Public Sector organisation, will not be considered.

  • You must have authorisation from all partners in the collaboration effort before submitting. 

  • You can nominate more than one project or activity, by submitting multiple entry forms (one per person).  

  • Entries can be submitted by any organisation

Rules and how to enter

  • All entry submissions must be made online via this form.

  • Deadline for submissions is 5 September at 5pm. Entries must be received no later than the published deadline date. 

  • The award winner will be announced at the Quality Bus Conference in Portsmouth. 

  • The judges’ decision is final and no discussion will be had with unsuccessful entries.  

By entering these awards, you give to the BCoE the right to share, publish and otherwise use the entry in all BCoE media and publications. Please ensure you own the copyright for any photos submitted with your entry.