Episode Details

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