Nominations now open for The Co-operative Awards 2012

To celebrate outstanding contribution to the co-operative economy, during this, The United Nations International Year of Co-operatives, Co-operatives UK is calling on co-operators across the country to enter The Co-operative Awards 2012.

The Co-operative Awards 2012 recognise excellence, innovation and ethics of businesses and individuals across the diverse co-operative movement and celebrate co-operation and the achievements of the UK’s most pioneering and inspirational co-operators.

Win tickets for International Dinner

Each shortlisted finalist will receive two complementary tickets for the Co-operatives United International Dinner on 31 October 2012. The Dinner and Awards will be the social highlight of the event, bringing together over 800 guests from the international co-operative movement. Tickets have a value of £125.00 + VAT (£150 +VAT)

Nominations for The Co-operative Awards 2012 are now open in the following categories:

- The #coops2012 Award, sponsored by Heart of England Co-operative Society.
For the co-operative that has actively used a variety of media - including radio, press and social media – to help promote how it is building a better world through co-operation during 2012.

- Co-operative of the Year Award, sponsored by Cobbetts LLP.
For overall excellence in relation to performance on all aspects of running a successful co-operative enterprise.

- Small Co-op, Big Achiever, sponsored by Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society.
For a small co-operative, with a turnover of less than £5 million that has made a big impact with an innovative project or projects.

Open to all members of Co-operatives UK, the awards are free to enter and organisations can enter as many award categories as they wish. To enter, co-operatives must complete the online entry form and any supporting documents for each category that they wish to enter.

Award winners will be announced at the International Dinner and Awards to be held on 31 October 2012 as part of Co-operatives United - an inspiring global festival of events and exhibitions set in Manchester to mark the culmination of The United Nations International Year of Co-operatives.

Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, which is co-ordinating the awards, said: “The United Nations International Year of Co-operatives 2012 is a time to prove that co-operative enterprises are building a better world and The Co-operative Awards 2012 will be a shining example of co-operative businesses that are doing just that here in the UK.”

The deadline for nominations for The Co-operative Awards 2012 is 10 September, and shortlisted finalists will be announced on 28 September.

The nominations have now closed for The Co-operative Awards 2012.