Applications open for Sustainability Awards 2025 (UK)

The Sustainability Award celebrates makers who have made measurable changes to their materials, processes, or introduced innovative approaches to reduce their environmental footprint within the past 12 months.

Aims

• Through the partnership with Heritage Crafts, the award aims to showcase excellence in sustainable craft and promote innovative practices that ensure the UK’s rich craft sector continues to thrive for future generations.

Funding Information

• Each winner will receive a £1,000 prize and an invitation to attend a prestigious awards ceremony hosted by Heritage Crafts.

Award Categories

• There are two award categories this year, each designed to highlight different approaches to sustainability in craft:
  • Innovative Approaches to Environmental Sustainability:
    • This category is for those who have demonstrated a unique and innovative approach to environmental sustainability. The recipient will have pioneered a ground-breaking solution, technique, or process that challenges conventional wisdom and inspires others in the craft sector to explore new methods of working sustainably.
  • Incremental Changes to Environmental Sustainability:
    • This category recognises craftspeople who have made incremental yet substantial improvements to the environmental impact of their business. By implementing practical initiatives to reduce waste, conserve resources, and mitigate environmental harm over time, the recipient will have shown a steadfast commitment to making their practice more sustainable.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants from UK are eligible.
• Anyone can nominate a craftsperson or micro-business, including self-nominations, for the QEST and Heritage Crafts Sustainability Award.

Encouraged Applicants

• Craftspeople working with traditional skills or materials, who have embraced sustainability and contributed to the long-term viability of their businesses, are encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit QEST.