What are the iESE Awards 2026

Our awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding work of councils, public bodies, and their partners in improving services and delivering better outcomes for communities. From innovative digital solutions to groundbreaking community initiatives, the Awards shine a spotlight on the people and projects driving positive change. Whether large-scale transformation or local grassroots impact, every nomination helps showcase the dedication, creativity, and commitment of those working to make public services the best they can be.

Last year we received 140 nominations from 63 public sector organisations across the UK and overseas.

Award Categories 2026

Every year, we receive hundreds of nominations from public sector organisations across the UK and overseas, competing for Gold, Silver, or Bronze in each award category. Here are the categories for the iESE Awards 2026:

1. AI in Public Services Award
This award recognises the most impactful and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence in transforming local public services. Entrants will demonstrate how AI has been applied to improve decision-making, enhance service delivery, reduce costs, or predict and meet community needs — all while ensuring transparency, accountability, and public trust. Submissions can include automation, predictive analytics, natural language processing, or other AI-driven innovations that deliver measurable benefits to residents and communities.

2. Best Transformation Team
This award captures the exceptional focus and effort from a team who has made a significant contribution and long-term positive impact within their organisation, on their residents and communities. They have improved outcomes for their organisation, customers, and wider community through innovative transformation and continuous improvement. This team has delivered the best possible services to their residents and service users by embedding strong values, culture, and behaviours. Nominations are welcome from both single organisations and cross-agency teams.

3. Best Use of Digital, Technology and Data Insight
This category is for the innovative use of digital tools, technology, and data that have led to improved outcomes for the organisation, customers, and wider community. This could range from remodelling existing services to creating new, dynamic services that have transformed the role of local public services and the way they support residents and communities. Entries must evidence a creative approach to managing and analysing data to deliver outstanding results.

4. CareCubed Award
This award recognises organisations that have used CareCubed, the National Care Costing Tool, to enhance transparency, efficiency, and collaboration in care commissioning and delivery. Entries should demonstrate measurable outcomes such as improved cost accuracy, stronger provider relationships, or more sustainable care models. Projects should show how CareCubed has been embedded in teams, driven cost savings, and supported data-driven decision-making.

5. Collaboration & Partnership Award
This category recognises the simplification of how residents and local businesses interact with public services by bringing together multiple contact points, removing barriers between organisations, and moving resources closer to the customer. It also celebrates strategic alliances, co-production with communities, and joint working between different sectors to achieve shared goals.

6. Community and Customer Focus Award
This award is for the initiative that does most to reinvigorate the local community and deliver outstanding service to customers. Through the use of asset management, regeneration, or community development, they have created opportunities for their local area by delivering proven benefits, greater resilience, and less dependency on local public services. Entrants must clearly demonstrate the link between excellent customer service and improved service performance.

7. Cyber Excellence and Resilience Award
This category rewards successful initiatives that improve the overall security of their organisation.They have demonstrated exceptional commitment to strengthening their cyber resilience by embedding a culture of cyber security throughout their operations. The award recognises those who have proactively invested in robust security measures, delivered effective staff training, and promoted cyber knowledge at every level of the organisation.

8. Efficiency and Effectiveness Award
This category recognises organisations that have unlocked the full potential of their resources to deliver elevated performance, create efficiencies, and deliver outstanding customer service with improved value to residents. Above all, this organisation has shown its ability to adapt to a fast-paced and ever-changing environment while achieving excellent results.

9. Green Public Service Award
This category recognises, rewards, and promotes environmental best practice across the public sector in the UK. The winning organisation will demonstrate how they have driven sustainability within their operations and local area, addressed climate adaptation and biodiversity, and improved the quality of life and well-being of their residents.

10. Innovation Award
This category is for developing and bringing to market new innovative technologies, facilities, or services that can transform the delivery of a local public service. Entrants will be able to show the success of innovative ways of working and the improvement made to their customers and community. This category is open to public, private, and third sector organisations.

11. Transformation in Health & Social Care Award
This organisation has highlighted the greatest impact for customers of health and social care through the successful launch of creative and forward-thinking services for children, young people, or adults. Submissions can be based upon transforming access to services, remodelling the service itself, or integrating different services and partners.

12. International Public Body of the Year 2026
The International Public Body of the Year is the ultimate award recognising outstanding public sector transformation on a global scale. It celebrates an organisation that has delivered exceptional services, innovation, and measurable impact for communities around the world.

13. UK Police Service of the Year 2025
The UK Police Service of the Year is the highest accolade for policing excellence. It celebrates a service that has transformed operations, enhanced public safety, and delivered measurable benefits for the communities it protects.

14. UK Fire & Rescue Service of the Year 2025
The UK Fire & Rescue Service of the Year is the pinnacle award for excellence in fire and rescue. It recognises a service that has transformed operations, improved safety, and delivered outstanding impact for the communities it serves.

15. UK Council of the Year 2025
This is the most prestigious award of the iESE Awards, presented to a Council that has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact. The winner will have transformed services, strengthened communities, and delivered measurable improvements for residents, setting the benchmark for excellence in local government.