The 2026 shortlist is out: see the top three in every award →

Celebrating the people who make Tees Valley shine

16 years of recognising outstanding achievements in equality, diversity and inclusion across our communities.

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Friday 16 October 2026 Digital Life, Teesside University

Awards night in

4days 6hrs 30mins

Nominations have now closed

The 2026 shortlist

The top three in every award

Our independent judging panel has chosen the top three in each of 14 awards, 42 finalists in all. See who made the shortlist. The winners are announced live on Friday 16 October.

See the shortlist About the awards night

Community Ambassador Community Organisation Community Champion Youth Impact Award Public Sector Award Health Award Education Award Academic Excellence Award Micro Business of the Year SME Business of the Year Business Person of the Year Social Impact Business of the Year Restaurant & Takeaway of the Year Woman of the Year

About the awards

Sixteen years of celebrating equality, diversity and inclusion

The Tees Valley EDI Awards (the new name for the BME Achievement Awards) bring service providers and community members together to celebrate the people and organisations advancing opportunity for diverse communities across the region.

From personal milestones to collective successes, one night a year we shine a light on the changemakers driving positive change throughout Tees Valley.

“A platform to celebrate, recognise and empower diverse communities across Tees Valley.”

years of the awards

award categories

unforgettable night

Est. 2010

Title sponsor

How it works

Three steps to the big night

Nominations closed

STEP 1 Open now

Nominate

Tell us about a person, business or organisation making a difference. It takes ten minutes and anyone can nominate, including yourself.

Closed

STEP 2

Shortlist announced

Our independent judging panel reviews every nomination and the shortlisted finalists are announced and invited to the ceremony.

See the shortlist →

STEP 3

Awards night

Dinner, entertainment and the big reveals at Digital Life, Teesside University. Dress to impress: winners announced live on the night.

Friday 16 October 2026 Sold out

Award categories

Fifteen awards. Eight categories.
One could be yours.

All categories →

3 AWARDS Community Awards Ambassador, Organisation and Champion, for those building stronger, more inclusive neighbourhoods. 1 AWARD Youth Awards Youth Impact, celebrating young leaders who champion inclusion among their peers. 1 AWARD Public Sector Award For public bodies advancing EDI with innovation, leadership and measurable impact. 1 AWARD Health Award For outstanding commitment to health and wellbeing among diverse communities. 2 AWARDS Education Award Education and Academic Excellence, for learning, achievement and academic dedication. 5 AWARDS Business Awards Micro, SME, Business Person, Social Impact, and Restaurant & Takeaway of the Year. 1 AWARD Woman of the Year Celebrating a remarkable woman showing leadership, resilience and empowerment. 1 AWARD Lifetime Achievement For a lasting, significant impact on the Tees Valley community over a lifetime.

Previous winners

Inspired by those who came before

Every year our winners set the bar higher: community champions, young leaders, businesses and lifetime achievers whose stories inspire the whole of Tees Valley. Explore the roll of honour from 2025 and beyond.

2025 winners All previous winners