Awards Application Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the enei Inclusivity Excellence Awards?

The enei Inclusivity Excellence Awards provide a platform for organisations to showcase and share their achievements in promoting and progressing workplace diversity, equality, inclusion, and belonging. It is an opportunity to recognise all the teams and individuals genuinely making a difference within their organisations.

Who are they for?

The awards are open to all employers worldwide. You don’t have to be an enei member or client to participate.

Why should we submit an entry?

Not only will you be able to honour the dedication, hard work, and commitment shown over the year, but you will also be helping other organisations learn and support their inclusion journeys.

What are the award categories for 2025?

There are eight award categories to choose from, encompassing all aspects of workplace diversity, equality, and inclusion.

The categories are: 

1. Innovative Approach to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion
2. Inclusive Culture
3. Talent Retention, Development, and Progression
4. Wellbeing and Belonging at Work
5. Inclusive Recruitment Initiative
6. Employee Network Group of the Year
7. Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Influencer of the Year
8. Inclusive Leader of the Year

Is there a cost to submit an entry?

No. There is no cost to submit award entries, and attendance at the awards celebration is free of charge to shortlisted entrants.

Is there a limit to the number of entries an organisation can submit?

You can submit award entries in as many categories as you like.

How can I submit an entry?

Start by exploring the award categories to find the ones that best fit your achievements. Take your time to craft a compelling submission — we’re looking for clear, tangible evidence of the impact you’ve made.

Once you’re happy with your entry, submit by 12.00 pm on Wednesday 23 July 2025 and leave the rest to us!

We’ll be in touch to let you know in September 2025 if you’ve made it onto our shortlist. Then, get ready to celebrate in style with your peers and the enei team at our fabulous awards ceremony in November.

If you require additional support with the application process, you should email awards@enei.org.uk by no later than 4:00pm on 2 July. This will allow us to put appropriate measures in place to enable you to submit your application(s) by 12.00 pm on Wednesday, 23 July.

What should I do if I am unsure which category is most appropriate?

In these circumstances, it is recommended that you review the shortlisting questions for each of the categories you are considering. This should help identify the one that enables you best to demonstrate your work’s positive and tangible impact. Your responses to the shortlisting questions will inform the shortlisting and judging decisions.

What information is required to submit an entry?

As you might expect, some standard information is required, including details of the organisation and the primary contact, i.e. the person enei will communicate with regarding your application. You will also be asked for an alternative contact if you are unavailable.

In addition, depending on the category selected, there will be up to seven shortlisting questions. You can find a list of the application questions for each category here to help you get started.

The shortlisting questions have been designed to gather specific information relative to the category, including evidence of positive impact.

• As far as possible, avoid jargon or terminology specific to your organisation or sector or language that could easily be misinterpreted. For instance, instead of referring to “pillars”, which could be interpreted in various ways, consider alternative descriptions that will be more readily understood by an external reader, e.g. principles, themes, or workstreams.
• Please communicate clearly and straightforwardly, assuming the reader has no prior knowledge of your organisation or sector. If there are any industry-specific terms or acronyms you cannot avoid, you should incorporate a definition or explanation in your response.
• Each shortlisting question includes a specified word count limit, indicated at the end of the question.
• Whilst the system allows you to save and return to your application, you may find it helpful to prepare your responses in advance using Word or Google Docs. This could help with any internal review processes, e.g. if you are required to liaise with others or seek approval to finalise your submission. You can then copy and paste the final version into the online form.
• It is the outcome of the review of the responses to the shortlisting questions that will determine which applications are shortlisted.

How can applicants demonstrate the positive impact of their actions?

During the shorting and judging processes, we are trying to understand:

• What steps the organisation or individual has taken,
• The appropriateness of the approach, and
• The positive impact or outcome.
• Where you are asked for tangible results or details of the positive impact, rather than aspirational statements, the judges are looking for specific evidence and data that demonstrates the effect and the difference your approach made, e.g. improved performance, improved diversity or representation, increased levels of employee engagement, or increased employee retention/reduced employee turnover etc.

How long does it take to complete an application?

The time to complete an application will depend on several factors, including your knowledge of the subject area and if you require input from others.

We would recommend you allow yourself around five weeks, e.g.:

Week 1 – review the award categories and shortlisting questions to determine the relevant category/categories, i.e. where you can provide evidence/data that demonstrates the positive impact of your actions

Week 2 – agree on the category/categories you will submit applications for, confirm who will draft the submission, and reach out to colleagues for additional detail (as necessary)

Week 3 – complete the first draft (this can be prepared offline by saving the shortlisting questions in a separate document)

Week 4 – proofread and finalise your draft, circulating for approval (as required)

Week 5 – make any final amendments and submit your application online

When is the deadline for submitting an entry?

The deadline for entries for the 2025 awards is 12.00 pm on Wednesday, 23 July 2025. Entries received after this time will not be considered.

What happens following the deadline for applying?

The judging process will begin immediately after the closing date of Wednesday, 23 July. The shortlisting and judging will be based on the responses to the shortlisting questions.

When will we hear if we are successful?

Shortlisted applicants will be notified by the end of September. We will also confirm those shortlisted on social media. The winners and highly commended in each category will be announced at the award ceremony in November 2025.

Who is invited to the awards ceremony?

The shortlisted applicants – those who best demonstrate their commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion – will be invited to join us in person at the ceremony. Those invited to the ceremony will be asked to advise of any accessibility or dietary requirements in their RSVP.

At the ceremony, the shortlisted applicants will be joined by the enei team, which will include some of our trustees and the award sponsors.

Where and when is the award ceremony?

Details of the awards ceremony are TBC.

Will feedback be provided to those who are unsuccessful?

Feedback will be provided to shortlisted applicants only. Unfortunately, given the participation level, we cannot provide specific feedback to other applicants.

What else do I need to know?

There are two categories of recognition: winner and highly commended. Winners and highly commended in each category will receive a trophy and framed certificate, respectively.

Those acknowledged at both levels can share their stories on our website and celebrate with us on social media.