Community & Social Innovation Award
For projects that create meaningful, demonstrable societal benefit - measured through a Social Return on Investment lens.
About the Community & Social Innovation Award
Impact measured in community, not just in deliverables.
The Community & Social Innovation Award celebrates projects – typically led by non-profits, public sector bodies, and social enterprises – that create meaningful, demonstrable societal benefit. Judges apply a Social Return on Investment (SROI) lens alongside traditional project performance metrics.
Some of the most important projects in our region are measured in lives improved, barriers removed, and communities strengthened. This award gives those projects a dedicated platform – celebrating social impact, equity, and inclusion, and advancing PMI-CWCC’s commitment to social good across BC and Yukon.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Profit & non-profit organizations, charitable foundations
- Municipal & provincial government, social enterprises
- Indigenous community projects; education & healthcare
- Minimum project budget of CAD $25,000
- Minimum 200 community members impacted
- Completed within the 2020–2026 window; SROI documented or estimated
Ineligible submissions
- Projects completed outside the 2020–2026 window
- Projects without a documented community engagement process
- Submissions lacking impact or SROI evidence
- Projects previously recognized in another PMI POTY program
- Submissions from committee members or their direct reports
Participation & conflict of interest
- All judges and committee members complete a COI declaration
- Any connection to an applicant triggers automatic recusal
- Submissions are confidential; judges sign NDAs
- Scoring data is anonymized in aggregate reporting
Criteria, Rules, & Guidelines
Criterion | Weight | Max | Min | Key Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | 100% | 100 | 60 | Minimum threshold to advance to shortlist |
Community challenge or social need | 15% | 15 | 9 | Challenge & needs articulated; relevance, urgency, baseline; community priorities |
Community & social impact outcomes | 35% | 35 | 21 | Beneficiaries reached; SROI ratio; inclusiveness; partnerships; long-term outcomes |
Innovation in social solutions | 20% | 20 | 12 | Creativity & novelty; scalability; new approaches vs. convention |
Equity, diversity & inclusion | 20% | 20 | 12 | Equitable participation; diversity engaged; underserved groups; inclusive design |
Long-term community sustainability | 10% | 10 | 6 | Durability; community ownership; scalability; funding & maintenance plan |
Lessons learned & knowledge transfer | 10% | 10 | 5 | Lessons register, knowledge artifacts, training materials |
Key Dates
-
June 12, 2026
Applications open -
September 30, 2026
Applications close -
October 15, 2026
Finalists announced -
November 5, 2026
Awards ceremony
Could your project be among the first?
2026 is the inaugural program year. Applications open June 12 and close September 30 - winners are celebrated at the PMWest Conference in November.