Deadline: 7-Jul-25
The UK Social Enterprise Awards shine a powerful spotlight on the pioneering organisations transforming lives and communities across the country.
The Awards are the most anticipated evening in the social enterprise calendar. It’s more than just a celebration. It’s an inspiring and memorable night where stories of impact, innovation and resilience take centre stage.
Award Categories
- Category 1 UK Social Enterprise of the Year
- Category 2 One to Watch Award
- Category 3 Prove It: Social Impact Award
- Category 4 ‘Buy Social’ Market Builder Award
- Category 5 Social Investment Deal of the Year
- Category 6 Public Services Social Enterprise of the Year
- Category 7 Consumer-Facing Social Enterprise of the Year
- Category 8 Education, Training & Jobs Social Enterprise of the Year
- Category 9 Environmental Social Enterprise of the Year
- Category 10 Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Justice Award
- Category 11 Social Enterprise Women’s Champion of the Year
- Category 12 International Impact Award
- Category 13 Community-Based Social Enterprise Award
- Category 14 Social Enterprise Innovation of the Year
- Category 15 Tech for Good: Technology Social Enterprise of the Year
Eligibility Criteria
- All Award categories are open to organisations from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
- Organisations can apply for a maximum of three categories.
- If you wish to make an Award application for any category other than:
- Category 4 ‘Buy Social’ Market Builder Award
- Category 5 Social Investment Deal of the Year
- Category 11 Social Enterprise Women’s Champion of the Year
- Your organisation must be a UK-based business that defines itself as a social enterprise using the criteria detailed below. You will be asked to confirm that this is the case before proceeding with your application. Please do not enter any category other than 4, 5 or 11 if you do not meet these criteria.
- The business has a clear social or environmental mission that is set out in its governing documents.
- It is an independent business and earns more than half of its income through trading.
- It is controlled or owned in the interests of the social mission.
- It invests or gives away at least half its profits or surpluses towards your social purpose.
- It is transparent about how it operates and the impact it has.
- Non-social enterprises (for example, investors, corporates, public sector bodies and charities) may put applications forward in the following categories:
- Category 4 ‘Buy Social’ Market Builder Award
- Category 5 Social Investment Deal of the Year
- Category 11 Social Enterprise Women’s Champion of the Year
- Social enterprises may also enter category 4 or 5.
- Category 11 Social Enterprise Women’s Champion of the Year recognises a woman working in the senior leadership team of a social enterprise or organisation that supports social enterprises.
For more information, visit Social Enterprise UK.