Category Description
These potentially multiple winner awards sit under one umbrella of ‘community partnerships’ which, at the judges’ discretion, will be split into sub-categories covering different subjects, and/or organisation size/type depending on the range and quantity of projects. It will be at the discretion of the judges to decide upon the final sub-categories.
The awards are open to any organisation with a community partnerships programme or funding scheme, run independently or in partnership with one or more collaborators, and can be based on any theme including: social impact, health and wellbeing, education and environmental sustainability. Projects can be focused on the UK or overseas.
Winning entries will demonstrate how the scheme influenced the community, how many people it engaged, and what the lasting benefits (social, environmental, economic, etc) are for the local community.
In judging this award, the panel will be looking for quantified details of projects, outcomes, achievements and effectiveness; evidence of the degree of innovation in scoping and developing the initiative as well as the use of awareness raising measures to promote and deliver it; and measurement of its overall impact.
Time Frame: Entries should focus primarily on projects and activities delivered during the past three years and may be ongoing or completed. Earlier work may be included to provide historical context or demonstrate programme development. Legacy programmes are welcomed and may be considered for special recognition.
We request a total word count of 1500 words +/-10% (excl. supporting docs). Any confidential data will be treated as such and only shared with the judging panel.
Criteria
Judges will be looking for evidence of the following points within the supplied application form (weighting percentages in brackets):
- How the project set new standards for innovation and creativity (15%)
- Successful promotion across the targeted community (20%)
- The measurement of overall tangible impact: how it positively influenced change in the community resulting in quantifiable benefits to individuals and society (40%)
- The scheme’s legacy and scalability to ensure ongoing and lasting community benefits once the project is complete (25%)
PLEASE NOTE: The criteria listed above are used by judges to evaluate entries. However, you will complete a separate application form with specific questions.
When writing your entry, follow the application form questions while ensuring you address all the criteria listed above. This allows judges to assess all entries consistently.
Accessing the questions: Register or log in to AwardStage (opens 2 February), select your category, and download the PDF of questions. Application questions vary by category and will be available four weeks before entries open. To receive them in advance, please email us.
Are we eligible to enter?
Our awards programme is open to all organisations of any kind… companies large and small, charities, not-for-profits, social enterprises, NGOs, membership and accreditation organisations and government departments including local and county councils. We are all about rewarding sustainability practice – in all its forms. So if your organisation is making a difference, directly or indirectly to people and planet, you’re eligible.
We don’t just recognise businesses that are operating responsibly, or supporting / partnering with worthwhile causes. We also actively encourage entries from organisations that have been specifically set up or adapted to offer a product or service that tackles a social or environmental problem.
Our category descriptions and criteria have been written to guide entrants on what content should be detailed in their entries. However, we do not expect square pegs to fit in round holes… Some of your business activities or dedicated programmes might not fit entirely with any one specific category. In these cases, the descriptions and criteria are open to an element of interpretation and rest assured that our judges will still take into account entries that are strongly aligned with the overall context of the category.
If you have any concerns about the suitability of your entry, or would like to discuss your activities in more detail, we are here to help. Give Karen a call on 07813 718541 or email us.