Impact in Social Enterprise Award 2024

Part of our Building Public Trust Awards programme

The PwC Building Public Trust Award for Impact in Social Enterprise, in partnership with the School for Social Entrepreneurs, recognises UK based social enterprises demonstrating excellence in impact reporting.

To enter, applicants must state how they demonstrate a positive social and/or environmental impact, as well as submitting qualitative and quantitative evidence to support their application. The winner receives a £5,000 donation and each of our two highly commended applicants receive £2,500. Our three finalists are invited to celebrate with us at our Building Public Trust Awards dinner in London on 12 November 2024.

Last year's winner was Mediorite and our two highly commended entries were Luminary Bakery and Fair for You CIC.

This year’s award opens on Monday 13 May 2024 and the application window closes on Friday 28 June 2024 (applications must be submitted by 5.00pm).

Shown here (left to right), from our 2023 awards: Anita Anand, Lucy Ferguson (Mediorite), Claire Dove CBE DL

Application

Awards criteria

Prior to presenting the short list to the independent judging panel we consult representatives from the School for Social Entrepreneurs, other stakeholders and social enterprises. Our subject matter experts use the following principles to screen applications. These include that the social enterprise:

  • Demonstrates positive social or environmental impact* backed up by evidence (can include quantitative and/or qualitative evidence)
  • Demonstrates good use of impact measurement or evaluation methods.
  • Involves and communicates with stakeholders (anyone that affects, or is affected by the enterprises activities)
  • Clearly communicates both its intended and actual impact in the reports or evidence provided

* ‘Impact’ has different definitions in the fields of impact measurement, evaluation, and accounting for social or environmental value, and we’re open to different approaches to the topic. When reviewing impact reports and evidence the judging panel will take into account the focus area and size of enterprise applying e.g. we wouldn't expect an in depth counterfactual impact evaluation from a small start up organisation.

Shortlisting and judging

A panel of subject matter experts from PwC, the School for Social Entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs will agree a shortlist of ten entries initially and then three finalists. These finalists will then be considered by an independent judging panel.

See who is on our BPTA Judging Panel.

Application period

Applications open on Monday 13 May 2024 and will close on Friday 28 June 2024 (applications must be submitted by 5.00pm).

Eligibility

Entrants must submit an impact report and supporting evidence as part of their application. Entrants must be a UK-based social enterprise and must:

  • Have a clear social or environmental mission set out in its governing documents and be controlled in the interests of that mission
  • Reinvest or donate at least half of its profits or surpluses towards their mission
  • Be independent of state or government control, and earn more than half of its income through trading (unless trading for less than 24 months)
  • Be transparent in the way the operate and the impact they have

Our 2023 winners and finalists

Thursday 5 October 2023

We’re delighted to announce that the winner of our BPTA Impact in Social Enterprise Award 2023 is Mediorite. Our two highly commended applicants are Luminary Bakery and Fair for You CIC.

Our three finalists all demonstrated excellent impact measurement and reporting, including strong qualitative and quantitative evidence as well as stakeholder engagement.

Lucy Ferguson, CEO of Mediorite, received the award at our BPTA dinner on Thursday 5 October in London and commented,

“We are over the moon to have been recognised for our impact and reporting by The PwC Building Public Trust Awards. With support from the Social Entrepreneurs Club, we have worked hard to improve our reporting and to be awarded for this is a fantastic result.”

David Adair, Director of Community Engagement at PwC added

“Our Building Public Trust Award for Impact in Social Enterprise really helps to shine a light on social enterprises that are leading the way in all aspects of impact measurement and reporting. The judges were genuinely moved by the life-changing impacts that all three of our finalists create. Mediorite won for their engaging and well presented report, set apart by their strong communication of impact supported by excellent evidence. Well done to our fantastic finalists and all of our shortlisted entries!”

BPTA 2023 Lucy Ferguson

Lucy Ferguson, Founder, Mediorite

“Mediorite provides a clear, convincing description of its business…The UK is a global leader in the media sector, and helping young people get into it is wonderful.”

Judge’s comment

Contact us

Maggie Robb

Maggie Robb

Social Enterprise Lead, PwC United Kingdom

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