Category 04 · Impact in Action Awards 2026
Inclusive Enterprise
Enterprises expanding opportunity, livelihoods and access to markets.
Purpose
What this category recognises
Recognises enterprises whose business models deliberately include underserved groups as customers, suppliers, employees or owners.
Eligible nominees
- SMEs and growth enterprises
- Financial-inclusion providers
- Value-chain and market-access programmes
Eligibility rules
- Inclusion is integral to the business model
- Evidence of livelihoods, income or access outcomes
- Commercial viability demonstrated
Examples
- Out-grower schemes that raise smallholder incomes
- Inclusive finance for women-led businesses
- Market-access platforms for informal traders
Assessment criteria
How nominations are assessed
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.
Nominate in this category Deadline: 14 November 2026