Proud to be ethical? Show your commitment to change with The Observer Ethical Awards 2013

[Ethical Fashion Forum]

The Observer Ethical Awards 2013 just opened for submissions and this year it is introducing the “Well Dressed Award” sponsored by Eco Age.

 

The Observer Ethical Awards, in association with Ecover, launched in January as the search begins to find the UK's environmental and social justice champions for 2013.

 

The awards are the only ones hosted by a national newspaper, which focus on both environmental change and social justice. They highlight the initiatives, campaigns and people - big or small - that make it possible for us to act and live in a sustainable way. They shine a light on breakthrough business ideas, support projects that make ethical living a real-world option and highlight the young people determined to fix the planet they will inherit.

This year the awards are also on the lookout for a fashion fan who has managed to merge ethics with style.

Image: Georgie Wells, Membership Manager at Ethical Fashion Forum, taking part in the FruGal Challenge in 2012.

The Observer teams up with the FruGal Challenge - a street style project from Eco-Age.com - to find an individual who lives and breathes sustainable fashion and style. Send in your pictures and the story behind your outfit to be crowned king or queen of stylish ethics. The Eco Age website offers plenty of inspiration.

 

The Categories:

Readers nominate in the below categories and then the winner is voted for by the public:

• Retailer
• Campaigner
• Unsung Local Hero
• Travel (sponsored by Virgin Holidays)
• Arts and Culture
• Big Idea (sponsored by National Grid)
• Business Initiative (sponsored by Jupiter Asset Management)
• Ecover Young Green Champions (sponsored by Ecover)
• Product Design - designing for negawatts (sponsored by B&Q)
• Well dressed (sponsored by Eco Age)

Discover more details about the categories, prizes and terms & conditions on the Guardian website.

Nominate someone or an organization.

Those that enter or nominate an organisation or individual for The Observer Ethical Awards have the chance of winning a seven night tour of Kerala for two adults on a bed and breakfast basis with CGH Earth Hotels, including return Economy flights to Mumbai with VirginAtlantic, transfers and two excursions courtesy of Virgin Holidays.

To nominate someone or an organisation for The Observer Ethical Awards visit: www.observer.co.uk/ethicalawards.

Entries Close at Midnight on 22 March 2013.

More about the awards:

Lucy Siegle, awards founder and chair of the judging panel, said: "Over eight years of these awards we have witnessed an explosion in sustainable thinking and practice. There are some breathtaking initiatives coming out of the UK and we're expecting some world-class winners this year. I'd say to everyone from lone campaigners to companies small and large, let us know what you are doing! And if you know someone great who is too shy or modest to enter, do it for them!"

The awards are a highly respected authority on ethical living and are supported by judges who are leading UK figures across science, culture and business. This year's celebrity judging panel includes Livia Firth, creative director of Eco Age and co-founder of the Green Carpet Challenge; Deborah Meaden, business woman and Dragons Den star; Iwan Thomas, Olympian and Tim Burgess, Charlatans frontman and fair-trade advocate.

Winners are announced in June and will feature in a special issue of the Observer Magazine. Past winners include chef and campaigner, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall; DIY giant, B&Q; environmental campaigner, Al Gore and naturalist and broadcaster, David Attenborough, who was presented with his award by awards judge and actor, Colin Firth.

 

For more details visit: www.observer.co.uk/ethicalawards.