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The clock is ticking before we close for entries for our 2019 Impact Awards. Of our 12 awards categories, two are all-new for this year. We explain the thinking behind our new safety award – and what the judges will look for when they draw up our shortlist in January.
There are now only a few weeks left before our annual quest for the best of UK tech for good closes – with the 2019 Impact Awards closing for entries at 23:59 on Friday 21 December.
One of our four society-themed awards – and a new award for this year – safety. That category recognises “projects that promote online safety and security, including protecting vulnerable groups and children from online harm”.
There’s little doubt that public concerns about online safety, personal security and data privacy have become major social and political issues. Hacking and data breaches affect people, and are daily occurrences. Our online identities are at risk. Kids face cyber bullying and exposure to the worst excesses of the internet, and our mental health can be worsened by excessive screen and social time. Fake news infects our social feeds and affects our democratic processes.
Some regulation has come through, and there could be more. Meanwhile, UK government teams have been working on initiatives like the digital charter, and the Information Commissioner’s Office works to defend information rights. In universities, initiatives like the LSE’s Parenting for a Digital Future share ideas and best practice.
What are entrepreneurs doing with digital innovation in this space to boost safety? What are the protections on offer that defend people from invasions of their personal and social media space ? Where are the best defences of legitimate content against dishonest players?
We’re looking for answers from tech business large and small, and also from government teams using their own influence and support to help grow solutions that are in the public interest.
If you’re working in this vast area, and think what to promote what you’re doing, enter your project for the Impact Awards safety category.
Entry to the awards is open to any UK-operating business, government or non-profit organisation using digital products or services for positive social or environmental impact.
The awards are open for entries across the 12 themed categories until 23.59 on Friday 21 December. Entry is free via our dedicated website at www.impact-awards.co.uk.
Judging takes place in January 2019, with our 36 finalists announced in the first week of February. Entries are judged by our expert jury against five clear criteria: idea, product/service, team, scalability and impact. Read our entry guidelines.
The 2019 awards ceremony happens on Thursday 7 March in London. Our afternoon awards ceremony hears from winners and great guest speakers alike. An evening reception gives our winners and guests the chance to celebrate and connect. Look out for more on the event very soon!
DigitalAgenda Impact Awards 2019
Sponsored by Nominet
Awards categories are organised under three broad themes.
People theme
Diversity (sponsored by BCS) – initiatives and digital products that support and promote inclusion, and that boost under-represented groups in the technology sector.
Education – technologies that are transforming both teaching and learning, in schools, universities or online.
Employment & skills (sponsored by Barclays) – changing ways into work, and work itself, and initiatives that increase people’s skills and access to talent.
Health – technology that enhances healthcare knowledge and treatment, as well as people’s abilities to lead healthier lives.
Society theme
Connected cities (sponsored by Here East) – digital initiatives that enhance urban places and spaces, and enable people to connect more easily.
Safety – projects that promote online safety and security, including protecting vulnerable groups and children from online harm.
Social transformation – outward-facing products and services that make a positive social or environmental impact on society.
Sustainable living – technologies that help people and organisations to manage and understand environmental change, or to live more sustainably.
Business theme
Business transformation – products and projects that help business, government and non-profit organisations become more effective and happier, healthier places to work.
Financial inclusion (sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group) – technologies that make it easier for people to save and spend, and enhance access to and the quality of financial services.
Sharing economy – helping people and organisations share resources more easily, for a social or environmental benefit.
Investment (sponsored by ClearlySo) – the best in impact funding provided by investors and backers of all kinds, across all platforms and funding routes.
Special awards
People’s choice – the winner of our public vote, drawn from the 36 finalists across 12 categories.
Individual impact – outstanding contribution by an individual in helping to grow technology for good, through personal giving of time or money.
The Impact Awards are also supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
Further awards sponsorship opportunities are available. Find out more.
The 2019 Impact Awards are open for entries until 23.59 on Friday 21 December. Enter now.
impact-awards.co.uk
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