While there are many challenging things happening in our world at this time, the applications and nominations for The Impact Awards are a powerful reminder of the many good people working to make a difference every single day.
This year we received a combined total of more than 400+ applications and nominations, and WOW – the diversity and calibre of submissions is exceptional. This blog is a quick overview of the submissions received. You can also download a full summary .pdf here. We’ll be announcing the top-ten semi-finalists for each category on the 21st October. On behalf of our crew, we'd like to say a huge and heart felt THANK YOU to each and every one of you who have helped to spread the word, apply, nominate, and champion young people making a difference. You are amazing. Much gratitude!!
The image above illustrates the age, gender and geographic representation of applicants, with every region of Aotearoa New Zealand represented. Applicants ranged from 16 to 30 years of age, with broad representation and every age represented across the spectrum. Applicants aged 28 represented the highest number of applicants from a single age bracket at 12%. In terms of gender, young women made up the majority of applicants at 68.6%, with male at 28.9% and non-binary/other at 2.5%. While this is a high proportion of applicants identifying as female, the percentage is similar to last year, and is a trend we see across our programmes at Inspiring Stories.
Applications Received By Category…
The image below illustrates the spread of the applications received in each of the five Impact Award categories. The Inclusion and Wellbeing categories received the highest number of applications equally, with 60 applications received in each. The Global category which is new in 2020 received the least amount of applications at 18, which looks to recognise inspiring young New Zealanders making an impact beyond our shores with a particular focus on making a difference in developing countries. The fewer number of entries in any category is by no means a reflection of quality, and on the contrary, the calibre of applicants in every category is exceptional and highly competitive.
Which of the Sustainable Development Goals Does Your Work Align With The Most?
Applicants were asked to select which of the UN Global Goals their work aligns with most, selecting up to three as appropriate. All of the Global Goals are represented at some level across all of the applications received. Goal 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing ranked most aligned, with Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities coming in at second. The goals with the least representation were Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, and Goal 7 – Access To Affordable and Clean Energy.
In What Capacity Are You Doing This Work?
The insights from this question are fascinating, and it is clear that young New Zealanders are doing their impact-focused work in a range of different capacities. The majority – 29% are doing this outside of their normal job. 27% of applicants are studying, but do their impact work outside of their studies, and of those studying, only 3% do their impact-focused work as part of their studies. This raises interesting questions about the role of New Zealand’s education system, particularly whether it could be supporting young New Zealanders to be doing more impact-focused work as part of their studies. 20% of applicants are doing this work as part of their full time job and are paid to be focused on this, while 16% of applicants are taking a hybrid approach and identified ‘it’s complicated’.
Where can I find out about the semi-finalists and Awards Ceremony?
We will be announcing the top-ten semi-finalists for each of the five categories for The Impact Awards on Wednesday 21st October 2020, and these will be published on the website. The Awards Ceremony will take place online 6–7pm Wednesday 18th November. Anyone can attend the Awards Ceremony. Attending is free of charge, though people are encouraged to make a donation to support the Awards if they have the means, and spaces are limited. Secure your place for the Awards Ceremony here >>