Celebrating Excellence, Impact, and Innovation in the Social Economy
Social Enterprise Northern Ireland is delighted to announce the official launch of the much-anticipated 2025 Northern Ireland Social Enterprise Awards, the only awards dedicated to recognising and celebrating the outstanding achievements of social enterprises across the region.
Returning for what promises to be another inspiring year, the Awards shine a spotlight on organisations using business as a force for good from creating jobs and delivering vital services to tackling some of society’s biggest challenges, all while reinvesting profits for purpose.
Applications are welcomed before the closing deadline of 10th July, and to promote inclusivity, video applications have been introduced for the first time in the Award’s 13 years history.
Not one but two new categories are being added this year to reflect the increasing scope and impact of the sector, namely ‘Environmental/ Circular Economy Social Enterprise of the Year’ and ‘Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion and Equality’.
There is also a public vote again this year for the ‘Consumer Facing’ category.
2025 Award Categories:
- Best New Start Up
- Best Use of Social Media
- Community Wealth Building Award
- Consumer Facing Social Enterprise (Public Vote)
- Credit Union – Assets up to £25 million
- Credit Union – Assets over £25 million
- Emerging Leader of the Year
- Environmental/ Circular Economy Social Enterprise of the Year (NEW)
- Leader of the Year Outstanding Team Award
- Product Based Social Enterprise
- Rural Social Enterprise of the Year
- Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion and Equality Award (NEW)
- Social Enterprise of the Year – up to £500k turnover
- Social Enterprise of the Year – over £500k turnover
- Social Impact Award
- Social Value Partnership Award
- Young Person of the Year
This year’s winners will be announced on Friday 7th November 2025 with a glittering ceremony at the Crowne Plaza, Belfast, bringing together social enterprise leaders, government representatives, private sector partners, and community changemakers from every corner of Northern Ireland.
Minister for the Economy, Caoimhe Archibald said: “Social enterprises are not only a cornerstone of the local economy, they also play an important role in wider society. The Social Enterprise Awards recognise the excellent work of the sector, and I encourage all social enterprises to enter and get involved.”
CEO of Social Enterprise NI, Colin Jess, added:
“The Northern Ireland Social Enterprise Awards are more than just a celebration—they are a powerful platform to champion the organisations driving real social and economic impact. Every year, we are inspired by the creativity, resilience, and ambition of our social enterprise community, and 2025 will be no exception.”
“As we continue to build an economy that works for everyone, social enterprises are leading the way in delivering value that goes beyond profit. These awards are a chance to honour their contribution, tell their stories, and showcase the sector’s growing role in shaping Northern Ireland’s future, working alongside our partners in the private and public sector.”
Joint winners of last years coveted ‘Social Enterprise of the Year’ Award, The Workspace Group (Over £500k turnover) and Downpatrick and County Down Railway (Up to £500k turnover) explained what the award means to them:
“It’s recognition, for the fantastic work that our team does throughout all the different businesses that we have and also for our directors, many of whom have been there since the beginning of Workspace, and I suppose recognition for the community who have supported us from the very start going way back to 1985.” – Georgina Grieve, Chief Executive – The Workspace Group
“It’s validation to win an award like this, you’ve put in so much hard work over the years and to be honest sometimes you feel it just goes unrecognised… you compete in a field of so many excellent organisations and when your name is read out as the winner of that year you can’t believe it and you just feel exhilarated” – Robert Gardiner, Chairman- Downpatrick and Co Down Railway.
The awards are open to all registered social enterprises operating in Northern Ireland, regardless of size or sector along with their social partners across the public and private sectors.
Entries open today and will close on Thursday 10th July 2025.
To enter or find out more, visit: www.socialenterpriseni.org/awards
Join us as we celebrate the people and organisations changing lives and transforming communities—one social enterprise at a time.