Who deserves recognition for making East Belfast a better place to live, work or visit? Entries and nominations are now open for the 11th Eastside Awards, in association with Belfast City Airport.
With public vote media partner Belfast Live officially launching this year’s awards, the search is underway for the businesses, community organisations, local heroes, volunteers and young people making a difference across East Belfast.
At East Belfast Enterprise, we’re encouraging our tenants, local businesses and the wider community to get involved. Whether you have an achievement to share or know someone whose contribution deserves recognition, this is your opportunity to tell their story.
Explore the categories and enter the Eastside Awards 2026
Building on a decade of celebration
Following January’s tenth anniversary celebrations, which brought more than 450 people together at Titanic Belfast, the Eastside Awards return to recognise the ambition, dedication and community spirit that make this part of the city so special.
From growing businesses and creative projects to volunteers giving their time to help others, the awards celebrate achievements across many areas of local life. This year’s ceremony will take place at Titanic Belfast on Friday 29 January 2027.
A chance for local businesses to be recognised
For businesses across East Belfast, the awards offer an opportunity to reflect on your progress and celebrate the people behind it.
Application categories include Business Start-Up, Business Growth, Best Place to Work and Sustainable Business of the Year, alongside awards recognising community impact, arts and culture, health and wellbeing, and young people.
Entries for the judged categories can be submitted as a written application or short video. Explore the criteria to find the category that best fits your achievements.
You may have taken the leap into self-employment, expanded your team or introduced changes that have made a real difference to your customers and community. Whatever your story, we encourage you to put it forward.
Help celebrate your local favourites
The public nomination categories give everyone a chance to recognise the people and places they value.
Whether it’s a favourite family business, an inspiring school hero, a dedicated volunteer or a local sports team, your nomination could help them reach the next stage.
Public nominations close at 5pm on Friday 16 October 2026, with shortlisted nominees progressing to a public vote opening on 20 October.
Proud to support outstanding contribution
East Belfast Enterprise is proud to sponsor the Eastside Award for Outstanding Contribution, recognising an individual who has made a significant and lasting difference to the community. The recipient will be selected by the Eastside Awards committee.
Supporting the awards is an opportunity to celebrate the people whose commitment helps East Belfast thrive, and to encourage more local success stories to be shared.
Enter or nominate today
Public nominations close on Friday 16 October 2026. Take a look at the categories, check the criteria and give yourself – or someone you admire – the chance to be recognised.
Explore the categories and enter the Eastside Awards 2026
