Gifts Policy

Policy for Gifts, Tokens and Presents
To maintain the integrity, impartiality, and merit-based reputation of the A' Design Awards, it is imperative that the entire staff remain above any real or perceived influence. These guidelines delineate the organization's policy concerning gift acceptance by staff members. All participants of the A' Design Awards are reminded to uphold the integrity and meritocratic nature of the awards. We kindly request that participants refrain from offering any gifts, tokens, or inducements to any staff member or associated personnel of the awards.

Statement of Principle
Staff members of the A' Design Awards are representatives of the event's integrity. As such, they are expected not to accept or entertain gifts, favors, or inducements from any individual, company, or entity associated with or participating in the awards.

Definitions
Gift: Any item, service, favor, hospitality, token, or any form of gratification, whether tangible or intangible. Team Members: Any individual working directly for the A' Design Awards in any capacity, whether permanent, temporary, contract-based, or volunteer.

Guidelines
By working for or with the A' Design Awards, all staff implicitly and explicitly commit to upholding these guidelines, ensuring the prestige and impartiality of the awards remain intact.

1. No Personal Acceptance of Gifts:
   Staff members should not accept gifts in any form for personal gain or use, irrespective of its value or the intent behind it, from any person or entity associated with the A' Design Awards.

2. Gifts Due to Cultural Sensitivity:
   In circumstances where it is culturally insensitive to decline a gift, the gift will be deemed as being presented to the A' Design Awards organization and not to any individual. Such gifts will either:

   • Be distributed equitably among all staff members, ensuring no favoritism or individual advantage.
   • Be donated to a charitable cause chosen by the A' Design Awards leadership.
     
     
3. Transparency and Reporting:
   Staff members who receive or are offered a gift, or who become aware of an attempted gift to another staff member, must immediately report the situation to their immediate supervisor or designated ethics authority within the A' Design Awards.
   
   
4. Communication:
   All staff should be consistently reminded of and trained in these guidelines. The organization's policy on gift acceptance should be clear and accessible to every team member.
   
   
5. Sanctions:
   Any staff member found violating these guidelines, especially by keeping gifts intended for the A' Design Awards, may face sanctions including but not limited to warnings, retraining, or disciplinary actions up to and including termination of employment.
   
   
6. Review and Updates:
   These guidelines should be regularly revisited and updated to reflect changing circumstances, feedback from staff, and evolving best practices in organizational ethics.

All participants of the A' Design Awards are earnestly requested to uphold the integrity and merit-based foundation of the awards by refraining from offering any gifts, tokens, or inducements to any staff member, judge, or associated personnel. To ensure transparency, fairness, and the unblemished reputation of the awards, we have a strict no-gift policy in place. Your understanding and cooperation in this matter are essential to preserving the credibility and sanctity of the awards process.

The no-gift policy enforced by the A' Design Awards ensures a level playing field for all participants, safeguarding the awards' reputation for fairness, impartiality, and merit-based recognition. For past laureates, this policy preserves the prestige and genuine merit of their achievements, ensuring that their accolades are viewed with the utmost respect and acknowledgment of their true talent and innovation, unclouded by any potential perceptions of undue influence or favoritism.

For the A' Design Award and Competition, the greatest gift is that you enjoy the A' Design Prize and benefit from it as an outstanding designer or institution who help make the world a better place with your superior products and projects.