National Economic Development Awards for Excellence 2021
Entries in the 2021 National Economic Development Awards for Excellence are Now Open
Economic Development Australia (EDA) invites you to enter the National Economic Development Awards for Excellence. Preparing a submission is simple and winning a prestigious EDA award is a great way to shine a spotlight on your innovative economic development projects and raise the profile of your work. Submissions can be made for projects delivered from 1 January 2019 – 30 June 2021.
Winners will be announced at a gala event during the National Economic Development Conference (NEDC22) in Mackay, QLD on October 14 2021.
Submissions close on Friday 16th July 2021 at 5pm AEST.
2021 Award Categories
1. Economic Development Strategic Thinking
This award recognises best practice strategies where economic development outcomes are the leading factors and basis influencing the approach adopted. EDA is looking for areas such as employment / workforce / investment / industrial and commercial development.
2. Economic Development Marketing and Promotion
Marketing and promotion is a vital skill for many economic development practitioners. Submissions should describe the whole process of their project from the planning stage through to implementation. Success is not measured by the size or budget of a campaign but the effectiveness of the methods and approach adopted. This award is ideal to present your winning regional branding and / or tourism marketing strategies and campaigns using innovative content development tactics.
3. Economic Development Through Partnerships and Collaboration
This award recognises excellence in economic development through meaningful collaboration and partnerships. Submissions should demonstrate economic outcomes realised through a clustering or
collaborative approach. Please note: It is advised that a paid consultancy is not considered a partnership.
4. Economic Development Initiatives – Regions Under 15,000 Residents
This award recognises programs or projects that have stimulated economic development activity in smaller regions. Examples may include retaining and growing existing businesses, boosting investment, raising employment opportunities and more. EDA encourages submissions which articulate the goals and the outcomes achieved, highlighting how the outcomes contributed to economic development in the region.
5. Economic Development Initiatives – Regions Over 15,000 Residents
This award recognises programs or projects that have stimulated economic development activity in larger regions. Examples may include retaining and growing existing businesses, boosting investment, raising employment opportunities and more. Submissions should describe the goals set and the outcomes achieved, highlighting how the outcomes contributed to economic development in the region
6. Economic Development Recovery & Resilience
This award recognises successful economic development programs, initiatives or activities implemented following a disaster, crises or economic downturn. This award also recognises economic development programs which are focussed on resilience building and mitigation.
7. Economic Development Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
This award recognises economic development strategies and projects which foster equity, diversity and inclusion. EDA welcomes projects where the community’s cultural, religious, linguistic and ethnic diversity underpin the economic development strategy and / or project. Other examples may be centred around gender diversity and / or supporting greater economic participation for young people.
8. Economic Development – Sustainable Initiatives
This award recognises best practice economic development initiatives delivering positive environmental and social outcomes. EDA is seeking submissions where circular economy and sustainability principles underpin economic development strategies and / or projects.
HONORARY CATEGORIES
9. The Peter Chaffey Economic Development Leadership Award (Economic Development Practitioner – over 30 years old)
This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated exemplary performance in the economic development profession. Successful nominations will have had a significant impact on revitalising communities, and will have been at the forefront of developing and delivering projects that drive innovation and change. They will have played a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development. Nominations must not exceed 1,000 words (typed double spaced pages) and should be accompanied by at least one (not more than three) letters of endorsement which should be no more than two pages and must be submitted in conjunction with the application. Nominations for the award must be a member of EDA and endorsed by an EDA member.
10. Economic Development Rising Star Leadership (Economic Development Practitioner – up to 30 years old)
This award recognises outstanding achievement by a young, emerging leader in the economic development profession. Nominations should detail the significant career achievements to date and the impact of those achievements on the organisation and the community as a whole, and also explain how these achievements have contributed to the advancement of economic development as a profession. Nominations for the award must be endorsed by an EDA member and will recognise not just their contribution to economic development but their level of community involvement. Nominations should be accompanied by a minimum of one, and not more than three, letters of endorsement on behalf of the applicant, from their supervisor, board chair, or other significant leader in the community who is actively involved with the applicant’s organisation. Nominations must not exceed 1,000 words (typed double spaced pages); letters of endorsement should be no more than two pages and must be submitted in conjunction with the application. Applicants must be no more than 30 years of age on the deadline submission date. Their date of birth must be noted on their application. Nominees must be a member of EDA.
11. Economic Development Community Champion Award
This award recognises an individual who has displayed dedication and commitment to his/her community as a leader and advocate for economic development. They will have demonstrated sustained and effective efforts to work with community groups and industry leaders in the development of projects as a business leader, elected official or volunteer. Nominations for the award must be endorsed by an EDA member but the nominee does not need to be a member of EDA to be eligible to receive this award.