Business in the Community is calling on responsible businesses across Northern Ireland to submit their entries for the 2018 Responsible Business Awards in Northern Ireland.

Applications can be made online at www.bitcni.org.uk/awards. Entries will close on Friday 23 February 2018 and the winners will be revealed at a glittering gala dinner at Belfast Waterfront Hall on Thursday 24 May 2018.

The annual awards, which are run by Business in the Community, seek to recognise and celebrate firms in Northern Ireland that are making a difference by taking practical action to address pressing social and environmental issues. They are open to firms here of all sizes and from all sectors. There are ten categories up for grabs in 2018:

• NI Responsible Company of the Year, sponsored by George Best Belfast City Airport
• Diversity and Inclusion Award, sponsored by Barclays
• Education Award, sponsored by Allen & Overy
• Employability Champion Award, sponsored by Belfast Harbour
• Environmental Leadership Award, sponsored by Arthur Cox 
• Digital Champion Award, sponsored by Fujitsu
• One-to-Watch Award, sponsored by Survitec
• Building Stronger Communities Award
• Wellbeing at Work Award, sponsored by Larne Port
• Marketplace Leadership Award

Chair of Business in the Community NI, Roy Adair CBE, said: “The Responsible Business Awards recognise those organisations that are truly having an impact on their people, the planet and the places where they operate. The responsible business movement has gone from strength-to-strength in Northern Ireland in recent years, and we want to recognise the contributions of companies that put social and environmental concerns at the heart of their corporate strategy.

“The Awards are free to enter and open to organisations from any sector or geographical location. There is a category to suit every organisation. It doesn’t matter how big or small your business is, if your organisation is committed to being a force for good, we want to hear from you!”

These Awards offer the opportunity for Northern Ireland organisations to showcase the practical action they’ve taken to address key social and environmental issues. Previous winners of these Awards have shown remarkable innovation, creativity and a sustained commitment to corporate responsibility. Not only did they demonstrate the positive impact they have had on society but also the business benefits.

To find out more, visit www.bitcni.org.uk/awards or call (028) 9046 0606.