The last year has really highlighted the resilience and innovation of the social enterprise movement with many social enterprises being at the heart of community responses to the pandemic. The 2021 Awards will be a moment to celebrate the incredible contributions made by social enterprises, recognising those organisations which have been making a real difference tackling social and environmental problems both in the UK and around the world.

We recognise that trading conditions have been disrupted for a lot of social enterprises, and this year we are looking to celebrate the resilience, the values and the entrepreneurial spirit of the sector as much as those who have pivoted, grown and thrived in these most unusual and challenging conditions. There are two new categories this year, one which has been made to recognise the Social Enterprise Team of the Year and the other being the Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Justice Award. This recognises the fundamental importance of social justice to the social enterprise movement and is for social enterprises which are directly addressing issues around diversity, inclusion, equity and justice.

It will also be a chance for the social enterprise community to finally be able to come together, network and enjoy celebrating being part of the amazing movement we are all a part of. After being cancelled last year due to COVID restrictions, the UK Social Enterprise Awards are back. They are the biggest celebration of social enterprises in a sector and a truly inspiring and entertaining evening and will again be hosted at London’s iconic Guildhall on 8 December, bigger and better than ever!