Nominations are open for the 2026 Tees Valley EDI Awards, and putting someone forward is quick, free and takes about ten minutes. Whether you have a colleague, a community champion, a local business or a whole organisation in mind, this step-by-step guide walks you through exactly how to nominate, and how to give your nominee the best possible chance of being shortlisted. Nominations close on 2 October 2026 at 5pm, ahead of the awards night on Friday 16 October 2026 at Digital Life, Teesside University.
Who can nominate?
Anyone. You don’t need to be connected to an organisation or hold any particular role, if you know someone advancing equality, diversity and inclusion across Tees Valley, you can put them forward. You can nominate an individual, a business or an organisation, and self-nominations are welcome, so businesses and community groups are encouraged to enter themselves. There’s no cost to nominate.
Before you start
Have a few details to hand and the form takes just a few minutes:
- Your details: name, email and phone, so the team can confirm your nomination.
- Your nominee’s details: their name, and their email and phone if you have them (these are optional).
- The category that best fits: see step 2.
- Your reason for nominating: up to 500 words. This is the part that matters most, so it’s worth a little thought.
How to nominate in four simple steps
Here’s exactly how to nominate for the EDI Awards, four short steps, with the only real thinking saved for step three.
Step 1: Choose your nominee
Start with the person, business or organisation whose impact you want to celebrate. The strongest nominations are specific: rather than nominating “a great local charity” in the abstract, pick the individual or organisation whose work you can describe in real detail. If you’re torn between two nominees, you can submit more than one nomination, each is considered on its own merits.
Step 2: Pick a category
The 2026 awards span fifteen awards across eight categories, from Community and Youth to Business, Health, Education, Public Sector, Woman of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award. Choose the category that feels closest to your nominee’s contribution, you don’t need to get it perfect. Every nomination is read in full by the judging panel, and they will move a nominee into a better-suited award if another category fits them more closely.
If you’d like to see what each award recognises before you choose, browse the full award categories.
Step 3: Tell their story
This is the heart of the nomination. In up to 500 words, explain why your nominee deserves to win. A panel that has never met your nominee will read only what you write, so paint a clear picture of the difference they’ve made.
What makes a strong nomination
- Be specific. Concrete examples beat general praise, what did they actually do, and for whom?
- Show the impact. Who benefited, and how are things better because of them? Numbers, outcomes and real stories all help.
- Explain the EDI connection. Show how their work advances equality, diversity or inclusion in Tees Valley.
- Keep it genuine. Heartfelt and honest lands far better than a list of job titles.
Step 4: Submit, and what happens next
Once you’re happy with your nomination, submit the form. You’ll be asked to confirm you’ve read the privacy policy and that your nomination is accurate. After the deadline, the judging panel reviews every entry, the shortlist of finalists is announced in early October, and finalists are invited to the awards night on 16 October, where the winners are revealed.
Key dates for 2026
- Nominations close: 2 October 2026, 5pm
- Shortlist announced: early October 2026
- Awards night: Friday 16 October 2026, Digital Life, Teesside University
Ready to nominate?
It takes about ten minutes to celebrate someone who’s making Tees Valley fairer, kinder and more inclusive. Start your nomination now, explore the award categories, book your place at the ceremony, or become a sponsor and get your organisation behind the celebration.
