What a Night!
On the 23rd October at 6pm in the Crowne Plaza, Belfast, the winners of the Social Enterprise Awards for NI, 2026 were announced.
Credit Union of the Year (over £25m)
Winner – Lurgan Credit Union, Highly Commended – Waterside Credit Union
Environmental/Circular Economy Social Enterprise of the Year
Winner – Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Highly Commended – Repair & Share Foyle
Best Use of Social Media
Winner – Downpatrick & Co Down Railway, Highly Commended – Silent Cuts & Seasons of the GlensÂ
Emerging Leader of the Year
Winner – Christopher McCausland, Downpatrick & Co Down Railway, Highly Commended – Sean Hanna, NOW Group
Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion & Equality Award
Winner – Artsekta, Highly Commended – Voicing the Void
Social Value Partnership
Winner – Heron Bros working with Cancer Focus, CAN and Womens TEC & Deloitte working with NOW Group
OUR 2026 AWARDS SPONSORS
All These Faces are Going Places
This is the one night of the year when social enterprise takes centre stage. This is the one night where the true combined impact and positive energy of the social economy can be seen, all sitting together in one room.
Awards Night – Hosted by Cate ConwayÂ
This year’s Social Enterprise Awards for NI was hosted by Cate Conway. She is one half of the popular Vinny and Cate show on BBC Radio Ulster, Mon- Thurs 6pm- 7.30pm and a presenter on Community Life for BBC1 NI. Cate is a big supporter of social enterprises in NI and has hosted our NI awards for the last few years.
Brand
What better way to communicate and celebrate your company’s social responsibility, than to have your brand present at the biggest sector celebration on the island of Ireland. Every sponsor will have advertising space in our awards booklet and our sponsor wall and will feature on our social channels so your team, customers and stakeholders will connect your brand with your social commitment.
ESG/CSR Commitments
Make your commitment to environmental, social and governance objectives more clear with a visible investment. Social Enterprise NI’s annual awards unites, empower and champion the sector in the best way possible.
Influence
The awards night is both formal and informal. The formality comes from the recognition of the seriously impressive social purposes that guides every social enterprise and transforms communities. The informality comes from the ease with which you can converse with and build relationships with some of the busiest people in the country.