CatalystThe UK Catalyst Awards: community awards for social technology

Discuss the Awards

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There were ten different awards up for grabs.

The Shock for Good Award

For something that shocked people into doing something good

The Revolutionary Award

For something that makes people in power more aware of the need for change

The Self-Help Award

For something that helps me help myself

The Chalk & Cheese Award

For something that brings two different groups of people together

The David and Goliath Award

For something little that made a difference to a something big and powerful

The Young Achiever Award

For someone under 25

The Individual Hero Award

For an individual

The Community Award

For a community association or group

The Enterprise Award

For an innovative new technology solution developed by a business

The People’s Choice Award

This award is for the idea voted best by the public

Partners BERR NESTA
Partners Make Your Mark BERR BERR Unltd Polecat

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

We believe social media can be used to tackle current social challenges, from knife crime and youth gang culture through to climate change and poverty. It can provide simple and effective solutions to make a difference to the lives of individuals and communities, by connecting marginalised groups and giving those who struggle to get their voices heard a platform to communicate.

So, the awards were set up to search for inspiring stories of people who are using social technology in new and exciting ways. The response was incredible, with over 100 entries and 25 really high quality finalists. The winners are exemplary illustrations of how technology is changing lives. We hope with the right support, many of their ideas could be scaled up throughout the country – or even the world - and that they will inspire others to tackle other issues in this way.

Here's what some of our supporters say:

"Our thriving third sector continues to find innovative ways to tackle issues. We are creating a new generation of activists, campaigners and social entrepreneurs who are showing us just how the newest of technologies can help solve some of the oldest of challenges, building a more just society and better, stronger communities."
Gordon Brown, British Prime Minister

“These awards show us just how social technology can have a profound and powerful impact in delivering social change. It’s now up to all of us – central and local government, big business, and the third sector – to support and enable a creative and thriving environment in which organisations and communities continue to come together in new and groundbreaking ways.”
Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector

"We can feel the momentum building around this movement. Examples of 21st century community action such as this are the very type of activities that can bring back a sense of community to UK society."
Dan MacQuillan of the Make Your Mark campaign

"We’ve been impressed by many of the projects the UK Catalyst Awards have unearthed, and we plan to develop and fund a ‘how to’ guide, to help others get started in this space."
Rowena Young, Programme Director of Social Innovation & Finance at NESTA

WHO’S BEHIND THE AWARDS?

These awards were announced last July when Prime Minister Gordon Brown started the Council on Social Action.

It was decided that Social Technology was a key part of positive social action in the UK.

The awards are sponsored by NESTA, National Endowment for Science, Technology and Arts and BERR, the government’s Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

They are coordinated by Make Your Mark, the national campaign to unlock the UK’s enterprise potential, working with Polecat who help businesses and organisations measure their social impact and Colman Getty, a leading UK independent PR consultancy. The awards are supported by Unltd who support social entrepreneurs.