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Innovation Award - 2026 Nomination Form

The Innovation Award acknowledges programs, projects or initiatives that have demonstrated exceptional creativity and innovation in addressing challenges within the employment sector. This award celebrates pioneering projects or initiatives that not only exhibit creativity but also serve as inspiring models for other service providers.

Innovation refers to the creation or introduction of a novel concept, process, product, or service that has not been previously implemented or attempted in its current form. It must represent a departure from existing projects or solutions and cannot be merely a modification or iteration of an existing idea. Additionally, true innovation cannot be a reintroduction of a previously existing concept or solution.

Should none of the nominations demonstrate innovation, the award won’t be given. Highlighting the importance of innovation is critical to maintaining excellence within the sector

Submission Deadline: Friday, August 28, 2026
Please note, nominations are for First Work Members only. Submissions external to the network will not be considered.
Award Criteria:
This award recognizes programs that have showcased outstanding creativity, innovation, and commitment in developing programming through projects or initiatives, setting a standard for best practices in the sector. Nominations are encouraged in the following areas:
  • Unique Program or Service Response: The nominated project or initiative should represent a distinctive program or service response to a challenge facing clients, a specific demographic population, or the community.
  • Creativity and Quality: Demonstrates creativity, quality, and qualitative innovation in the design and execution of the program or service.
  • Model for Others: The program or service response should be exemplary and serve as a model for other service providers in the sector.
  • Impact Evidence: Provides evidence of the initiative's impact on individuals, the community, and/or the organization.
  • Recent Implementation: The initiative should be a recent endeavour, in place for no longer than five years.
  • First Work Membership: Open to First Work Members only. Organizations may nominate their innovative projects. If the nominated project is a result of a partnership, at least the lead organization must be a First Work member.
Nominator Information
This person will be the first point of contact should the nominee be selected as the winner of this award and would function as the primary contact to help coordinate First Work’s recognition efforts.
1.Please provide the following Nominator and Organization information, and ensure it is accurate.(Required.)
2.Nominator's Region(Required.)
Nomination Details
Innovation refers to the creation or introduction of a novel concept, process, product, or service that has not been previously implemented or attempted in its current form. It must represent a departure from existing projects or solutions and cannot be merely a modification or iteration of an existing idea. Additionally, true innovation cannot be a reintroduction of a previously existing concept or solution.
3.Name of the Project or Initiative  
4.Start Date of the Project or Initiative. The initiative should be a recent endeavor, in place for no longer than five years.   
5.What challenge or issue within was addressed? Who was the target demographic population or community? (2000 words max) 
6.How does the Project or Initiative demonstrate creativity, quality and qualitative innovation in design and execution? (2000) 
7.What measurable impact has the project or initiative had on clientsclients' employers, or the community? Please provide specific examples such as physical or written evidence or feedback from clients, partners, or the broader community; positive changes resulting from the project or initiative; how many people were served, etc.: (2000 words max) 
8.What can other service providers or sector partners learn from this initiative that they can apply in their communities? (12000 words max) 
9.If the program or initiative was accomplished through a partnership, please list the partner organizations. (2000 words max) 
10.Based on the definition above, how does this project meet the criteria of innovation?
11.Additional information: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about this project? (2000 words max)