After the huge success of Tech4Good Awards 2014 it’s great to announce that we’re back for our fifth year and looking forward to sharing even more stories about the amazing people who use digital technology to make the world a better place.
Nominations open on 4 March and once again will be open to any business, charity, school, social enterprise, government department, council or any other organisation or individual with a base in the UK. Categories will include a wide range of activities, from digital skills to digital health. We’ll be celebrating the efforts of charities, businesses, volunteers and young people – and learning how tech can deliver community impact, accessibility and inclusion across the planet
Just take a look at last year’s winners to see how these unique awards help share inspiring stories of innovation and ingenuity that transform people’s lives.
If you’re looking for inspiration then look no further than last year’s double-award winners SpecialEffect, who make the world of games available to people with disabilities of all ages. Watch this video to find out the incredible impact they had on Ceyda’s life, as she proclaims, “I’m now a gamer!”
Or you can learn how WIMPS is giving a voice to young people in Northern Ireland, giving them the skills to influence the political issues that affect their lives. Hear WIMPS founder Paul Smyth explain how the idea started, in this interview with Media Trust at the Awards Ceremony in July.
]And if it’s global impact you’re after what could be bigger than Wikipedia? This huge website is written and edited entirely by volunteers and now has millions of pages available in almost 200 languages. Its founder Jimmy Wales was a winner in 2014 and you can hear his thoughts about how the next era of digital technologies can be used for good of the whole planet, in the video below.
Onwards and upwards…
Last year we received over 200 nominations, and an incredible 20,000 votes in the People’s Award. This year we’re aiming even higher and are looking for your help to spread the word. What’s your favourite example of Tech4Good? Who do you think deserves an Award?
You can nominate yourself for an Award, or you can tell us about a volunteer at your local community centre or a project that’s reaching out to your local community. Or you may be a big business who is serious about using technology to change lives – last year Samsung made it to the finals for the Accessibility Award for the features they’ve built into their new generation of smart TVs. Nominations open on the 4th March, so get your thinking caps on and we’ll send you a reminder in a few weeks.
In the meantime, take a look at who won the Tech4Good Awards last year, who made it to the finals, and tweet us at @Tech4GoodAwards to let us know who you’ll be nominating, using the hashtag #Tech4GoodAwards.
