What are the Awards?
These awards celebrate the contributions that businesses make to transforming Surrey.
Sustainable business awards are a way to recognise innovation and progress, celebrating the achievements of not-for-profit, small, medium and large businesses across a wide range of categories.
Reasons to enter:
Applicants for each category will be shortlisted and receive extensive social media coverage via University of Surrey and the Centre for Environment and Sustainability, Woking News&Mail newspaper and online application, Planet Woking and on Surrey County Council social media.
Winners of each category will receive a defined period of sustainable consultancy from the University of Surrey and benefits from branding and award features to increase public awareness, as well as artwork for websites and email signatures.
Entering gives companies an opportunity to focus on their sustainability journey, share their vision and learn from one another. It also celebrates companies achievements within the wider borough, giving them increased exposure and marketing opportunities.
All category winners are considered for our Sustainability Hero Award
The application process
Application
Download application form here
If you would also like an MS Word template to help you, please email us at crest@wokingnewsandmail.org
Closing date for applications to be submitted is 20th March 2021
For more information see our FAQs below
Is there a fee to enter these awards:
No! Participation in the competition is free of charge.
How should we submit an entry?
Once you have downloaded the pdf entry form when it becomes available on 1st February, simply fill it in ensuring you include all the key criteria on which entries are judged. The key criteria for each category are:
- a statement outlining the reason for entry for a particular category
- the impact it has had or is projected to have.
There is a limit of 600 words for each of these sections. You can also link to external web pages, with additional information or a video about your submission. Please include links to the web pages and videos on the application form.
Is my business too big or too small?
Any size organisation, as well as individuals, can enter the Awards. The judges will take the size of the organisation into account when considering the applications.
Can I nominate myself?
Yes! We generally don’t celebrate our own achievements and we want to change that. You can nominate yourself, someone can nominate you, or you can nominate someone else… However, you do need permission from the organisation involved if you are entering for them.
Can I enter more than one category?
Yes, you can enter as many categories as you like, but get ready to spend a little more time – you need to fill in a separate entry form for every category you enter and provide details specific to that category.
Who gets to see my entry? Is it confidential?
Entries are compiled by the Awards Team at CREST and sent straight to our Judges. Your entry form is confidential, but if you are shortlisted, we’ll want to tell everyone about the great work you’re doing, so make sure your initiative /project /business can be talked about!
If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact us at crest@wokingnewsandmail.org and we’d be happy to help
What is the closing date for entries?
Entries close at 23.59 on the 20 March 2021
Can a collaboration be submitted to the CREST21 Awards?
Yes! Although a nominated company must submit the entry, you can list all involved stakeholders. Sometimes collaborations take us to new and exciting places, so please tell us about them.
What happens if my entry is shortlisted?
Shortlisted entries will be selected in the first round of judging and announced during the week commencing 26th April 2021. If your submission is shortlisted, judges will request additional information / clarifications from you. All shortlisted entries across the six categories will be celebrated and the winners of each category will be announced at the hybrid CREST21 Awards 2021 ceremony at The Lightbox in Woking on the 20 May 2021.
Can I get feedback on my entry?
The judges sometimes leave comments about entries. On request we can share any remarks they may have made, on an anonymous basis. Please be patient with us – this is a manual process and will only be provided on request!