UK Catalyst Awards

The UK Catalyst Awards 2009 are coming soon.

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.

2009 Catalyst Awards

This year’s awards will be part of the 2morro Festival, the UK’s largest festival to share, explore and showcase how young people are using new social technologies to connect, collaborate and innovate in often startling new ways. The festival is taking place on 14th July, more news to follow soon!

2008 UK Catalyst Award winners

Read on to find out who won what at last year’s awards:

The Revolutionary Award - Wheelies

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

The big idea: The world’s first virtual disability nightclub. Based in SecondLife, it is connecting disabled users and providing a platform for them to discuss common issues. Read Wheelies’ inspiring story.

The Self-Help Award - School of Everything

“For something that helps me help myself.”

The big idea: This innovative site matches up would-be learners and would-be teachers; unleashing unused skills in local neighbourhoods and allowing people, from young whizz kids to retired people, to pass on what they know to others. Read the School of Everything’s inspiring story.

The Chalk & Cheese Award - FreqOUT!

“For something that brings two different groups of people together.”

The big idea: A programme that combines wireless technology and emergent arts/education projects, and works to engage socially excluded young people. Read FreqOUT’s inspiring story.

The David and Goliath Award - Liftshare.com

“For something little that made a difference to a something big and powerful.”

The big idea: An online car-sharing system, enabling more efficient use of car journeys and cutting CO2 emissions and congestion. Read Liftshare.com’s inspiring story.

The Individual Hero Award - Helen Anderson (SWBB)

After a series of large internet suppliers refused to provide broadband in South Witham, Lincolnshire, Helen started a not-for-profit company to provide local individuals and businesses with broadband internet and WiFi. The volunteer-led project has been so successful that Helen has even shared her expertise with the Australian Government! Read Helen’s inspiring story.

The Community Award - Savvy Chavvy

For a community association or group.

The big idea: A social networking site for young gypsy travellers, giving them a voice and the opportunity to change the way their community is perceived. Read Savvy Chavvy’s inspiring story.

The Enterprise Award - Slivers-of-Time

“For an innovative new technology solution developed by a business.”

The big idea: A web-based employment solution, allowing people to find bits of work which they can do in between unpredictable commitments in their life, such as childcare, starting a business or studying. Read Slivers-of-Time’s inspiring story.

The People’s Choice Award - The Freeconomy Community

This award is for the idea voted best by the public.

A skill, tool, space and land sharing website to build closer, stronger communities through the power of sharing. Read Freeconomy’s inspiring story.

Who’ s behind the awards?

The awards were announced in July 2007 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 were 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.

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 McQuillan 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.”