Dragon Awards

Heart of the City Award

This award celebrates businesses that have begun to have a social impact in Greater London within the last three years. They will have demonstrated a strategic commitment to tackling a social issue(s) and put the foundations in place to deliver sustainable impact into the future. This award is especially small business (SME)-friendly, but open to businesses of all sizes.

Within your application we would love to hear how you’ve used the principles of responsible business to support your staff, customers and community.

Dragon Awards

Eligibility

For private sector businesses which have taken a strategic approach to addressing a social issue(s), outside of their core business activities, in Greater London for the first time within the last three years (since the beginning of 2020).

  • Involvement in ad hoc fundraising or volunteering before 2020 will not make a business ineligible for the Award, provided a more strategic approach has only been initiated within the last three years (since 2020)
  • Businesses that have NOT previously won in any of the categories can apply to the Heart of the City Award as many times as they wish within the three-year time frame. Businesses that have won a Lord Mayor’s Dragon Award in any category previously, may not apply for this award
  • Your business does not need to be a member of Heart of the City to apply
  • Environmental initiatives are not eligible

For this Award, ‘strategic’ is characterised as a deliberate and structured plan for social impact, with aims and objectives set at an organisational level.

Please read the eligibility criteria on the apply page applicable to all categories.

Examples

  • Using your resources to provide a community service
  • Finding creative ways to support community organisations

Previous Winners

Please follow this link to see videos of previous organisations who have won in this category.

About Heart of the City

Heart of the City supports businesses to set up responsible business activities and take them to the next level. They draw on the expertise of their unique network of corporate social responsibility experts to support, train and mentor companies new to this field. They run regular training events, networking sessions and mentoring and provide online resources covering all areas of responsible business.

For more information about Heart of the City please visit: www.theheartofthecity.com

Dragon Awards

Applications open Spring 2023

When making an application please follow the Heart of the City Award – Guidance Notes where you will find further information about how to answer each question on the application form.

Please also follow the General Guidance Notes applicable to all categories.

Dragon Awards

Nominations welcome

Businesses are encouraged to nominate third-party businesses for the Heart of the City Award.

The nominee must be informed before the application is submitted.

Dragon Awards

Key dates

Applications Open: 3 April
Applicant Enquiries: We are no longer taking enquiries for applications.
Applications Close: 2 June
Shortlist Announced: 10 August 2023
Winners Announced: 10 October 2023 at a special awards ceremony hosted by the Lord Mayor at Mansion House.

Applications for the 2023 Dragon Awards are now open.

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