The event of the year, the Social Enterprise Awards for NI 2026 is now open for applications. These are the only awards on the island of Ireland that hold a mirror up to the success and achievements of NI’s thousands of social enterprises.

This year’s awards are open to social enterprises throughout NI from 1st June. Applicants have until the middle of July to finish their entries. A panel of independent judges from the private and the public sectors read and score every application, deciding upon a shortlist by early September. The Awards night itself is always a positively charged event that fills the sector with energy, networking opportunities and plenty of recognition for

the best and brightest in the room. It is a moment of recognition that few social enterprises ever get, as most have neither the time nor the money to market their achievements.

For private businesses that want to be recognised for their work with the social enterprise sector there is the Social Value Partnership Award that was won by building, construction and property company Heron Bros in 2025.

Last year’s winner of Social Enterprise of the Year, IncredABLE, CEO Nigel Hampton said, “The Social Enterprise Awards are a powerful boost for morale and team confidence. The process itself helps organisations reflect on their achievements and impact and recognition from peers brings renewed energy and drives ambition. Even being shortlisted can be a motivational milestone for teams”

Winners will be announced during the glitzy awards gala ceremony, hosted by BBC Radio Ulster star Cate Conway and held in the Crowne Plaza, Belfast on the 23rd October 2026.

Together, these largely under-the-radar businesses contribute nearly £1bn to NI’s economy and add plenty more to NI society through their social value. Every social enterprise channels all their profits into a defined social purpose that improves people’s lives, communities or the environment. For example, IncredABLE ploughs all their profits from their cafés into providing good jobs for people with learning difficulties and/or autism.

As cuts to funding and service provision from government become commonplace, social enterprises are increasingly stepping in where government can no longer afford to help and where the private sector won’t go. Indeed 44% of social enterprises are located in the most deprived areas of NI, showing that this is a sector that naturally goes where it is needed the most.

The Department for the Economy’s Report on Social Enterprise in NI states, “At a challenging time for many businesses, social enterprises demonstrate resilience and growth ambitions. They also show alternatives for how business can be done, and the lessons for other parts of the economy in terms of leadership, governance and purpose.”

Categories for the 2026 Social Enterprise Awards include:

1 Best New Start Up

2 Community Based Social Enterprise

3 Rural Social Enterprise Award

4 Credit Union of the Year – (up to £25m)

5 Credit Union of the Year – (over £25m)

6 Environmental/Circular Economy Social Enterprise of the Year

7 Best Use of Social Media

8 Consumer Facing or Product Based Social Enterprise (PUBLIC VOTE)

9 Social Impact Award

10 Young Person of the Year

11 Emerging Leader of the Year

12 Leader of the Year

13 Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion, & Equality Award

14 Social Value Partnership

15 Outstanding Team Award

16 Social Enterprise of the Year – up to £500k

17 Social Enterprise of the Year – over £500k

Key Awards Dates:

1st June – Awards Open

7th September – Tickets on sale

23rd October – Awards gala ceremony

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