Transforming Lives and Communities: The Future Horizons Initiative

The EADT Business Awards 2026 is generating excitement with its Positive Impact in the Community Award, which highlights organizations that are making significant contributions to local projects and communities. This year, the spotlight is on Norse Group and its innovative Future Horizons project, designed to create employment opportunities for ex-prisoners and bolster local businesses.

Empowering the Local Workforce

Geoff Tucker, group business development director at Norse and a key judge for the award, expressed pride in the Future Horizons initiative, launched in 2025. This program not only focuses on assisting ex-offenders re-enter the workforce but also aims to address the pressing skills shortage in the region. Tucker emphasizes that providing opportunities for those who have faced challenges in the past can lead to transformative changes in their lives and significantly reduce re-offending rates.

Encouraging Community-Focused Business Practices

The judging process for the Positive Impact in the Community Award is seen as a means to amplify local successes and inspire more businesses to adopt community-oriented practices. Tucker notes the importance of supporting community engagement, as exemplified by previous winners like Sunrise Studios, which excelled in uncovering and promoting local talent while committing to community support. The message is clear: businesses that innovate for the greater good can stand out and make a lasting impact.

A Call to Action for Local Businesses

As the application deadline approaches, Tucker encourages businesses to reflect on their contributions to the community, particularly how they have adapted or innovated during challenging times. As the award criteria highlight, it is not only about future ambitions but also about showcasing what businesses have actively done to foster positive change in the past six months.

The EADT Business Awards represent an opportunity for local enterprises to gain recognition while reinforcing the message that business success is intertwined with community well-being. Those interested in applying can do so until March 29, 2026, as the call for entries opens a door for more organizations to join in the effort of making a positive impact in their communities.