Technology & Innovation
Technology-led solutions that address meaningful economic, social or environmental challenges.
Criteria & eligibility
Presents
Impact in Action Awards
2026
- Celebrating People.
- Recognising Impact.
- Inspiring Progress.
The StoneZero Impact in Action Awards recognise individuals, organisations and initiatives demonstrating leadership, innovation and meaningful contributions to sustainable development. We celebrate practical solutions and actions that create positive change for people, communities and the environment.
Nominations close in
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Nomination deadline14 November 2026
Awards date28 November 2026
VenueLagos, Nigeria — venue to be confirmed
About the Awards
Recognising those who turn ideas into measurable change
We celebrate practical solutions and actions that create positive change for people, communities and the environment.
The Awards recognise individuals, organisations and initiatives demonstrating leadership, innovation and meaningful contributions to sustainable development — judged on evidence, through a transparent and independent process.
Celebrating People
Shining a light on the leaders, founders, teams and communities behind real progress.
Recognising Impact
Rewarding evidence of outcomes — not intentions — across six categories.
Inspiring Progress
Sharing stories that others can learn from, adapt and scale.
The 2026 edition
Key dates
1 Oct
Nominations open
The nomination portal opens to the public.
14 Nov
Nominations close
Final day to submit a nomination.
We are here
15–25 Nov
Screening & judging
Eligibility screening, verification and independent judging.
28 Nov
Awards ceremony
Winners announced and celebrated.
From 29 Nov
Winners published
Winner profiles and citations added to the archive.
Award categories
Six categories. One standard of evidence.
Each category sets out its purpose, eligible nominees, eligibility rules, examples and assessment criteria.
Circular Economy & Sustainable Enterprise
Business models that reduce waste, improve resource use and create sustainable value.
Criteria & eligibility
Climate Action & Clean Energy
Initiatives advancing climate resilience, clean energy access or emissions reduction.
Criteria & eligibility
Inclusive Enterprise
Enterprises expanding opportunity, livelihoods and access to markets.
Criteria & eligibility
Education & Youth Empowerment
Programmes improving learning, skills, employability and youth opportunity.
Criteria & eligibility
Health & Community Wellbeing
Initiatives improving access, quality and outcomes in health and community services.
Criteria & eligibility
How to nominate
Simple to complete. Secure by design.
Anyone can nominate an individual, organisation or initiative — including self-nominations. The form works on any device and can be completed in stages.
1
Choose a category
Select the category that best reflects the nominee's work.
2
Tell the impact story
Describe the problem, the intervention and who benefits.
3
Share the evidence
Add outcomes, data, reporting period and supporting documents.
4
Submit & receive a reference
Get a unique reference number and email confirmation.
Judging & governance
Assessed on six criteria
A transparent process that builds trust in the integrity and independence of the Awards.
01
Impact & outcomes
Evidence of positive change and relevance to category.
02
Innovation
Originality, practicality and effectiveness.
03
Sustainability
Continuity, resilience and long-term value.
04
Inclusion
Reach, accessibility and consideration of underserved groups.
05
Scalability
Potential to expand or be adapted elsewhere.
06
Leadership & governance
Accountability, ethics and quality of execution.
The judging panel
An independent panel — to be announced
The judging panel brings together experienced practitioners from investment, development, enterprise and civil society. Members will be published here once formally confirmed, together with their conflict-of-interest declarations.
How judging works
Winners 2026
The winners will be revealed on 28 November 2026
Recipients, their citations and impact stories will be published here after the ceremony — and preserved in the permanent Awards archive.
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Individuals, organisations and initiatives whose work demonstrates measurable positive change in line with the category. Each category sets out its eligible nominee types and eligibility rules.
Yes. Self-nominations are welcome and are assessed on exactly the same criteria and evidence standard as third-party nominations.
No. There is no fee to submit a nomination.
Yes, but each nomination must be submitted separately and tailored to that category's purpose and criteria.
Describe outcomes with supporting data and the reporting period — for example records, survey results, partner reports or independent verification. You can upload up to three supporting documents (PDF, JPG, PNG or DOCX, maximum 5 MB each).
Nominations pass eligibility screening and verification checks before independent assessment against six criteria: impact & outcomes, innovation, sustainability, inclusion, scalability, and leadership & governance. Judges declare any conflicts of interest.
Nominations are stored securely with restricted access and shared only with the judging panel under confidentiality obligations. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony on 28 November 2026 and published on the Winners page afterwards.
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