Category Description
This category looks to highlight financial / investment products, services, activities or initiatives which are tackling key environmental and/or social issues, or (if still in development) have the evidenced potential to do so.
It could be something brand new in itself, or a brand new take on how we’ve previously tried to tackle the issue; and it must be replicable and/or scalable.
It’s open to a range of initiatives, for example:
- Driving capital towards solutions to climate change, biodiversity loss or poverty alleviation
- Reaching communities often excluded from or ignored by mainstream financing
- Supporting conflict resolution
- Identifying and supporting companies which are leading in sustainability – and avoiding those which are damaging prospects for achieving it
Judges will be looking for true game changing impact or potential, along with a clear explanation of the issue being addressed.
Judges do not expect perfection in all aspects of the activities of the financial institution that has developed this initiative: they know that embedding sustainable finance across all activities is a challenging process! But the initiative cannot be an isolated example of sustainability within the activities of the financial institution: the judges expect a company to also show evidence that it takes appropriate account of social and environmental issues in wider aspects of its business.
Time Frame: Entries should focus primarily on new initiatives launched within the last two years, and which has had a significant impact over the last 12 months. Historical context and earlier work may be included where relevant to demonstrate impact, innovation or progression.
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 (weighting percentages in brackets):
Identifying the problem (20%)
What problem is the ‘Game Changer’ innovation designed to address? Explain the issue, providing a clear account of the nature of the problem, why it needed solving and what alternative (if any) it is replacing.
Why and how is it a game changer (30%)
Why is the financial / investment product, service, activity or initiative entered truly a ‘Game Changer’? How was it developed, what research and engagement with targeted beneficiaries was undertaken and what lessons were learned from that? How will it make progress that has not been made before? If there are similar offerings/solutions in the market, how is this different?
Evidence of effectiveness (40%)
Describe and provide evidence for the impact it has had and continues to have. If at an early / pre-market stage, explain the impact it is intended to have, backing up the explanations with evidence or data such as market research.
Scalability (10%)
The wider potential for scalability and replicability.
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.