The aim of the Awards, in line with Stephen’s own approach, is to help create success by finding and nurturing innovative ideas and projects that can lead to practical, sustainable social or environmental change. The Awards are particularly interested in supporting novel, early stage ideas that address social or environmental problems at a systemic level. These are essentially ‘big ideas’ that might not, or cannot, reach the mainstream channels for support or funding.

Ideas may come in many forms. They may be a new start-up enterprise or an extension of an organisation’s existing work; however, preference will be given to entries originating from a start-up or early stage project, rather than initiated within a larger charity organisation. They might be a discrete piece of lobbying work or a high profile campaign; the aim might be to change policy or legislation or to create a new legal form or financial structure, for example.