Social Project of the Year Award
The winner of this category has now been announced. Congratulations to all our finalists in this category.
Hosted Category, Sponsored by CITI
Recognising and rewarding projects with the specific aim of developing solutions that deliver benefits to society and communities, whether they are local, regional, national or global.
Our highly sought-after Project of the Year categories are designed to recognise project excellence, both in delivery and outcomes. There are four Project of the Year Award categories, representing different types of projects. The winners of each of these awards are entered into the prestigious overall project of the year category, of which there is one winner.
The Social Project of the Year Award is given to the team whose project demonstrates the most effective use of project management and the greatest benefits and outcomes to end users and communities in projects seeking to address the concerns of 21st century society globally. This may include (but is not limited to) sustainability and climate change, conservation, disease prevention & treatment, equality, diversity & inclusion and health & wellbeing.
We require entrants to all Project of the Year categories to produce a submission of 1,500-2,500 words (in English) based on the judging criteria for that category. Entrants may also submit up to four supporting images or graphics only (no text apart from captions). Video and audio is not accepted as part of the submission.
The Project of the Year categories all consist of two stages, the first stage being the written submission mentioned above and the second stage requires all finalists to present virtually to a panel of judges. Projects from all sectors, and from across the globe, may apply.
Winner | Future Parks Accelerator, National Trust
The Future Parks Accelerator was set up by the National Trust and National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2018. Across a cohort of cities, FPA utilised agile project management and innovation incubator approaches to redefine the role of urban greenspace, placing it at the heart of plans for thriving future cities.
In these cities greenspace will serve communities most at need, delivering access to nature and its benefits, from health to climate mitigation, all underpinned by sustainable financing models. Blueprints from the programme will enable change to be delivered across the UK, with positive outcomes for people, nature and planet alike.
Images are for illustration purposes only.
Judges Special Mention | Unlocking the Severn, Canal & River Trust
Our conservation and river-engagement project was created to unlock the River Severn for wildlife and people. A partnership of four organisations seized a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore connectivity for migratory fish. Working together, we have successfully unlocked 158 miles of habitat for endangered migratory fish.
However, the project was equally focused on helping more people feel connected to the river, inspiring them to care for the river and be advocates for its wildlife long into the future. Our project created millions of touchpoints where people of all ages, interests and backgrounds could engage with one amazing river.
Images are for illustration purposes only.
Finalist | Clean Air Zone, AtkinsRéalis
To support the successful launch of Portsmouth’s clean air zone (CAZ), AtkinsRéalis supplied a business architect to translate interconnected systems into a working scheme, and a test manager, who oversaw the transition into the live system.
We wrote the service design, developed live payment testing proposals, constructed a critical milestones map to manage the run-up to launch, and proactively engaged with the operational CAZ teams, particularly finance, helpdesk, enforcement and image review. The joint air quality unit, (JAQU) said that Portsmouth's CAZ was the most successful implementation to date and forms the exemplar for all subsequent schemes.
Finalist | Plastics Packaging Tax, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) is a key element of the government’s programme to develop a green economy. Thanks to the dedication and professionalism of the HM Revenue & Customs project team, PPT – the first tax of its kind in the world - came into force on 1 April 2022.
Companies that manufacture and import plastic packaging pay PPT on packaging that contains less than 30% recycled plastic. PPT is an environmental tax. It helps tackle the problem of plastic pollution, encouraging businesses to change their processes and behaviour by providing a clear incentive to increase their use of recycled plastic.
