The shortlist has been drawn up for the UK Social Enterprise Awards 2017, which takes place in London on 23 November.
The awards were created by Social Enterprise UK to celebrate a sector which sees more than 70,000 enterprises employ almost a million people while generating £18.5bn for the economy.
They follow rounds of awards in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, whose winners have gone on to join the shortlist for the UK-wide awards.
Shortlisted organisations include several co-ops and credit unions, including Denbighshire Music Co-operative, which is up for the One to Watch category. It won this section in the Social Business Wales awards last month.
Farmer-owned Divine Chocolate is nominated for Consumer Facing Social Enterprise and International Impact, while the Shrewsbury-based Just Credit Union is up for Transformative Community Business.
Preston City Council, a leading light in the co-operative council movement, is nominated for the Buy Social – Market Builder category.
Shared Interest Society, a financial co-operative which serves Fairtrade organisations, is nominated for Social Enterprise of the Year.
Community-run venue Stretford Public Hall, in Manchester, is up for Social Investment Deal of the Year and also the International Development category.
Peter Holbrook, chief executive of Social Enterprise UK, said: “We believe that social enterprises are the future of business and the UK Social Enterprise Awards recognise those that are leaders in their fields.
“Social enterprises are ahead of the pack when it comes to turnover growth, innovation, start-up rates and diversity – they’re creating solutions to some of the biggest challenges we face and showing how business can be a real force for good.
“This year’s shortlist is a real testament to the strength of the sector, and we look forwarded to celebrating their achievements at what will be the biggest and best ceremony yet.”
2017 shortlist:
Category 1 – UK Social Enterprise of the Year (Sponsored by NatWest)
- Auriga
- Employers for Childcare
- Here
- Ninety
- SharpFutures
- Shared Interest Society
- Creating Enterprise
Category 2 – One to Watch (Sponsored by GLL)
- Auticon
- Epic Risk Management
- Smile Together
- Soap Co.
- Stand 4 Socks
- Wessex Social Ventures
- Your Living Room
- Denbighshire Music Co-op
Category 3 – Prove It: Social Impact (Sponsored by PwC)
- Blue Sky
- Community Shop CIC
- Divine Chocolate
- Enabling Enterprise
- Recycling Lives
Category 4 – ’Buy Social’ – Market Builder (Sponsored by Here)
- Brigade Bar & Bistro (Beyond Food)
- Preston City Council
- PwC
- Wates
- Zurich
Category 5 – Social Investment Deal of the Year (Sponsored by Big Society Capital)
- Big Issue Invest & Cornerstone
- CAF Venturesome & Hubbub
- Resonance & Bearpit Bristol
- Social Investment Cymru & Gofal Enterprises
- Social Investment Scotland & Fair For You
- Stretford Public Hall
Category 6 – Health & Social Care Social Enterprise (Sponsored by Cordant Group)
- Chiltern Music Therapy
- Chime
- Community Dental Services
- Here
- Livewell Southwest
- Provide
- Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions
- SPICE
Category 7 – Consumer Facing Social Enterprise (Sponsored by the Co-op)
- Alnwick Garden
- Belu
- Cafedirect
- Change Please
- Divine Chocolate
- From Babies with Love
- Stand 4 Socks
- Soap Co.
- Toast Ale
- Valleys Gymnastics
Category 8 – Education, Training & Jobs Social Enterprise (Sponsored by Wates)
- Brigade Bar & Bistro (Beyond Food)
- Enactus
- Enabling Enterprise
- Little Gate Farm
- SharpFutures
- Shoreditch Trust
- Creating Enterprise
Category 9 – Environmental Social Enterprise (Sponsored by Landmarc)
- Belu
- Chiltern Rangers
- National Community Wood Recycling Project
- Seagulls Re-Use
- GC Enterprises Ltd (Furniture Renewal)
Category 10 – Tech for Good: Technology Social Enterprise (Sponsored by Nominet Trust)
- Auticon
- The Big Lemon
- Brightside
- Care Opinion
- Cosmic
- Book of You
Category 11 – Women in Social Enterprise (Sponsored by Santander)
- Amber Elliott – Child Psychology Service
- Claire Carpenter – The Melting Pot
- Elaine Lilley – EBP
- Katie Ryan – First Step Trust
- Marie Marin – Employers for Childcare
- Rachel Wang – Chocolate Films
- Rose Marley – Sharp Futures
Category 12 – International Impact (Sponsored by the British Council)
- Cafedirect
- Crown Agents
- Divine Chocolate
- Shared Interest Society
- Soul of Africa
- Zaytoun
Category 13 – Transformative Community Business (Sponsored by Power to Change)
- The Base Skatepark
- Bikeworks
- Food In Community CIC
- Here
- Just Credit Union
