What judges actually look for — straight from the head judge

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 digitalgovawards.com/enter/resources

Chapters
00:00 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc) – Why this episode matters: helping you win
00:30 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=30s) – Entries now open: key dates and deadlines
01:10 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=70s) – Meet the head judge: Declan Tuite
02:00 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=120s) – The #1 mistake applicants make
02:40 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=160s) – It’s not the tech — it’s the story
03:20 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=200s) – What judges actually look for
04:00 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=240s) – Before and after: showing real impact
04:40 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=280s) – Proof, not promises: using stats and evidence
05:30 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=330s) – Who is the user? Why it matters
06:10 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=370s) – Avoid this: jargon and over-explaining
06:50 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=410s) – Innovation vs real-world results
07:30 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=450s) – Picking the right category (and why it matters)
08:20 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=500s) – Start early: why timing improves your entry
09:00 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=540s) – Using supporting documents and visuals
09:40 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=580s) – Writing clearly: answering the actual questions
10:20 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=620s) – What makes an entry stand out
11:10 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=670s) – Small projects can win (and do)
12:00 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=720s) – Step-by-step: how to enter online
13:10 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=790s) – Register, save, refine: how the system works
14:00 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=840s) – Entering multiple categories
14:50 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=890s) – What happens after you submit
16:00 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=960s) – Final advice from the head judge
17:00 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=1020s) – Deadline reminder and key dates
18:00 (youtube.com/watch?v=hMr4od9OyDc&t=1080s) – Why you should enter (even if unsure)

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