Social Enterprises from across Northern Ireland were showcased at the 13th Annual Social Enterprise Awards which took place on 7th November 2025 in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast 

The evening, which was attended by over 600 guests, celebrated the vibrancy, diversity and excellence of the social enterprise sector in Northern Ireland.  Rural Action was delighted to be included as a sponsor for the Awards and presented the Best New Start Up (Rural) Award. 

On the night, the winner of this Award was announced as Richmount Rural Community Association, where its social enterprise ‘Macha’s Orchard’ was recognised for its new beginnings in this sector. 

In total 19 categories sought to shine the spotlight on this ever growing and increasingly impactful sector.  The newly released 2025 Social Enterprise Sector Report illustrates that the sector generates £933 million for Northern Ireland’s economy with over 17,000 jobs created.  

This was the first year that Rural Action sponsored one of the Awards as Teresa Canavan, Chief Executive, explains, ‘Since our formation, Rural Action has been an advocate of the social enterprise sector as a model to do ‘business with a heart’.  These Awards demonstrate the best of the sector, and we are delighted to have played a supporting role.  We congratulate all winners and nominees.’ 

The full list of winners from the ceremony are:  

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ORGANISATION CATEGORIES 

  • Best New Start Up (Urban): Cairde na Cille CIC | Sponsored by Ulster Bank 
  • Best New Start Up (Rural): Richmond | Sponsored by Rural Action 
  • Community Wealth Building: LEDCOM & Enterprise North West | Sponsored by Edwards & Co 
  • Rural Social Enterprise Award: Rural Housing Association | Sponsored by KINECX (Firmus) 
  • Credit Union (up to £25m asset): Ormeau Credit Union Ltd | Sponsored by Version 1 
  • Credit Union (over £25m category): Coalisland Credit Union (Highly Commended: Ballinascreen Credit Union) | Sponsored by Version 1 
  • Environmental/Circular Economy Social Enterprise of the Year: The Advantage Foundation (Ravine) | Sponsored by Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade 
  • Best Use of Social Media: Ballymena Causeway Credit Union | Sponsored by Agenda NI 
  • Consumer Facing Social Enterprise: Seasons Coffee & Studio | Sponsored by The Housing Executive 
  • Social Impact Award: NI Active Youth | Sponsored by Irish League of Credit Unions 

INDIVIDUAL AWARD CATEGORIES 

  • Young Person of the Year: Just Include / Andrew Hamilton (Highly Commended: SERC / Brandan Magee) | Sponsored by Construction Futures 
  • Emerging Leader of the Year: Policy 360 / Ellen Finlay | Sponsored by Lockton 
  • Leader of the Year: Habitat for Humanity / Jenny Williams | Sponsored by CFI 

TEAM AWARD CATEGORY 

  • Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion & Equality Award: Stepping Stones NI (Highly Commended: Bolster Community) | Sponsored by Go Succeed 

PUBLIC & PRIVATE SECTOR CATEGORY 

  • Social Value Partnership: Heron Bros Ltd | Sponsored by SIB 

TEAM AWARD 

  • Outstanding Team Award: Habitat for Humanity ReStore (Highly Commended: Downpatrick Railway & SAG CU) | Sponsored by Hays 

PRODUCT & ENTERPRISE CATEGORIES 

  • Product Based Social Enterprise: Bolster Community | Sponsored by TDS 
  • Social Enterprise of the Year (up to £500k): Mediation NI | Sponsored by GLL 
  • Social Enterprise of the Year (over £500k): incredABLE (Highly Commended: CCU & Derry Credit Union) | Sponsored by GLL 

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Kevin Duffy, Compass Advocacy Network (CAN) 

Photos from the event are available at Official #SocEntNIAwards25 Photos