UK Social Enterprise Awards 2026

The categories for the UK Social Enterprise Awards have been created to reflect the diversity within the social enterprise community. More information, including detailed category criteria, can be found on the application portal. Please note that for most of these awards, social enterprises need to have been trading for at least two years with the exception of the One to Watch Award. CLICK HERE TO APPLY UK Social Enterprise of the Year The overall award for a social enterprise that has a clear vision, excellence in impact, and that has demonstrated and promoted social enterprise beyond the sector. One to Watch Award Sponsored by PwC The One to Watch Award is for a social enterprise that has been operating for less than 2 years as of April 2026. Key to winning this award is an ability to clearly articulate their future vision and how they are going to achieve it. Prove It: Social Impact Award For a social enterprise that can truly demonstrate and communicate their impact with their stakeholders. This award is not comparing the scale of different enterprises’ impact, but their measurement and reporting process. ‘Buy Social’ Market Builder Award For a social enterprise, public sector body or private sector organisation that has demonstrably made efforts within its own organisation and remit to create more opportunities to buy from social enterprises. This could be a local authority implementing a council-wide Social Value Act strategy, a company changing its procurement processes, or a social enterprise seeking to support the movement through buying social. Social Investment Deal of the Year This is the award to enter if you have been part of a great investment deal in the last 12 months that has helped a social enterprise to grow, create deeper impact for your community or the movement as a whole to develop and flourish. Both the investee and investor will be recognised. Public Services Social Enterprise of the Year Sponsored by GLL For a social enterprise for whom the majority of their income comes from the public sector and which delivers public services (for central or local government, NHS, criminal justice or other statutory body). Consumer Facing Social Enterprise of the Year For a social enterprise that delivers a retail product or service to the general public. Education, Training & Jobs Social Enterprise of the Year For a social enterprise in the education, training or employment sectors that can demonstrate excellence in vision and strategic direction, and clearly evidence their social, environmental and community impact. Environmental Social Enterprise of the Year For a social enterprise in the green and environmental sector with a clear evidenced environmental impact. Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Justice Award Social justice is fundamental to the social enterprise movement. This category is open to all social enterprises who are addressing issues around diversity, inclusion and equity. Social Enterprise Women’s Champion of the Year For a woman working in the senior leadership team of a social enterprise who represents excellence in her field of work. International Impact Award For a social enterprise working internationally, and which are having a big impact in their field. This award is open to UK-based organisations only with existing international operations. Community-Based Social Enterprise of the Year Social enterprises are powerful actors in shaping local places and communities. Be it operating in remote rural communities or supporting in inner cities, this category is open to social enterprises that are locally rooted, trading for the benefit of their local community/place, accountable to their local community/place, and making local impact. Social Enterprise Technology or Innovation of the Year Sponsored by Fusion21 Social enterprises are more innovative than mainstream businesses – nearly three times as likely to have developed a new product or service in the past year than their mainstream business equivalents. This award open to social enterprises using new technology or bringing something innovative to the market in the past year. Co-op of the Year A new category this year, Co-op of the Year will recognise a co-operative of any size, model or type that best demonstrates a sustainable and successful business model, underpinned by the values and principles of co-operation.  The UK Social Enterprise Awards are co-produced by Social Enterprise UK and Co-operatives UK