Nominations for the 2023 awards are now open for the award ceremony on Friday 2 February 2024. To nominate an individual or organisation, please follow this link: NOMINATE NOW!

The DIFERA Awards celebrate those individuals and organisations that have demonstrated exceptional regard for diversity, inclusion, fairness, equality, respect and acceptance. It could be in the specialist areas of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, age, religion or disability, or any other personal characteristic that might distinguish someone as disadvantaged in society and/or part of a minority group.

There are eight award categories (see below) in which an organisation or individual can be nominated.

All nominations are collated by Liberate and a shortlist of finalists drawn up. The awards are then judged by an independent diversity panel (unless otherwise indicated below). The winners are announced at an awards evening hosted by Liberate.

If you or your organisation has been shortlisted for an award, you will be notified by Liberate and sent details of how you can attend the awards presentation.

All shortlisted nominees are permitted to use a logo similar to the one below left on their promotional material. The winners are presented with a DIFERA award and permitted to use a logo similar to the one below right on their promotional material.

If you would like to know more about the awards, please email paddy@liberate.je

Inspirational Person of the Year
A public nomination for an individual who has, through their personal visibility, raised awareness of a minority group or issue, or advanced DIFERA values in Jersey. This recipient would usually be from a minority group themselves. For example, a para-sportsperson who works for inclusion in sports, a fundraiser from a minority background who raises awareness of a particular issue for their community, a high profile person who has overcome personal disadvantage to advocate for others.

Leader of the Year
A public nomination for an individual who has, through their position as a leader, raised awareness of a minority group or issue, or advanced DIFERA values in Jersey. This recipient could be a leader in business, but also in the third sector, or of a social group. They will role model DIFERA values in their leadership style. For example, a corporate department head, a youth group leader, a politician who demonstrates the values of DIFERA in how they lead.

Ally of the Year
A public nomination for an individual who has championed a minority group or issue, or advanced DIFERA values in Jersey, whilst not being part of that minority group or being affected by the issue personally. This recipient might have campaigned or fundraised on behalf of others, or they might have done something ‘heroic’ for others, or they might be in a role at work like teaching, caring or HR where they have championed others.

Junior Hero of the Year
A public nomination for an individual who is 18 or under and has, through their personal visibility, or position as a youth leader, or role as an ally/champion, supported a minority group or issue, or advanced DIFERA values in Jersey. This recipient might have worked for DIFERA values at school, or home, or after school. For example, someone who has carried out an act of kindness in the playground for a person who is part of a different group from them, a scout or guide who has shown DIFERA leadership skills, a student who has written an outstanding piece of work on DIFERA themes.

Community Group of the Year
A public nomination for a group or organisation that supports a minority group, or advances DIFERA values in Jersey, through a social initiative. This recipient might be a business network, sports team, support group, youth group, choir, or an activity or event that brings people together from different backgrounds.

Government Initiative of the Year
A public nomination for an initiative by a Government department that raises awareness of and/or starts to take action to tackle the issues of a minority group or groups, or advanced DIFERA values in Jersey. This recipient might be an awareness campaign, a researched report, or a project.

Charity of the Year
A public nomination for a project or programme by a charity or non-profit that provides support for or raises awareness of the issues of a minority group or groups, or advances DIFERA values in Jersey. This recipient will have done something extraordinary to demonstrate DIFERA values, it will be different from ‘business as usual’. For example, undertaking a drive to recruit diverse volunteers, developing a new service for a particular hard-to-reach minority group, improving facilities for different users.

Company of the Year
A public nomination for a project or programme by a business that provides support for or raises awareness of the issues of a minority group or groups, or advances DIFERA values in Jersey. This recipient’s actions could be within the business or in partnership with others, e.g. a charity/CSR initiative to help outside the business, a new policy that advances minority group support in the business, a piece of work to support an employee from a particular group to remain in the workplace.

Liberate Special Award as decided by the Liberate Committee
The winner will be an individual or organisation that is not honoured in the other award categories but that has undertaken an extraordinary project, activity or initiative in the last 12 months that has raised awareness of the issues of a minority group or groups, or advanced DIFERA values in Jersey.

Liberate Lifetime Achievement Award as decided by the Liberate Committee
The winner will be an individual or organisation that has, over many years, advanced DIFERA values in Jersey and, as a result of their efforts, the Island is a more inclusive place to live and work for people from minority groups in particular.

Tickets

All shortlisted nominees will be invited to attend the awards presentation on Friday 2 February 2024 at the Jersey Arts Centre. Tickets will be made available for nominees to bring guests.