The 2020 SIMNA Award Winners have been revealed! Run annually by the Social Impact Measurement Network of Australia (SIMNA), the SIMNA Awards celebrate the work of Australia’s social impact measurement superstars and recognise the organisations and initiatives achieving the best possible outcomes for all Australians, our communities and our environment.
Like many gatherings, this year’s SIMNA Awards Ceremony was held online. It was hosted by Simon Faivel (Chair, SIMNA and Director, SVA Consulting) and Helen Sheppard (SIMNA Board and Acting Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Mind Australia). It brought together impact measurement practitioners, policy makers, academics, researchers, social impact funders and investors to share and celebrate some of the best impact measurement work being done to advance social change in Australia.
Senator the Honourable Anne Ruston, Minister for Families and Social Services delivered a special welcome message, marking the achievements of the 13 Finalists and the social impact sector as a whole.
Discussion panellists Lee-Anne Molony, Director at Clear Horizon Consulting and Associate Professor Graham Brown from the Centre for Social Impact at UNSW spoke to themes of humility, connectedness and population level engagement with digital technologies as just some of the early signs of adaptation that we have seen this year. The ways in which we engage with others in carrying out social impact measurement has changed too. Both speakers pointed to a need for greater sector level awareness and collaboration in the months and years to come.
Simon Faivel, SIMNA Chair and Director of SVA Consulting said:
It is incredible to see how the SIMNA Awards allows the sector to come together as one, to celebrate the very best of social impact measurement in Australia.
Listening to this year’s Finalists describe the ways in which they are measuring social change, I am struck by the passion, drive, commitment and thoughtfulness that they bring to their impact measurement practice.
To those that didn’t take home an award this year, do not be disheartened. Your work is still amongst some of the best in the country!
My sincere thanks to our sponsors for making the SIMNA Awards possible, in particular the Australian Government, Department of Social Services, Our Community, SVA Consulting, Urbis and Think Impact.
Winners and Runners-Up were announced across the following award categories:
Excellence in Social Impact Measurement Award, sponsored by Think Impact
Winner: City of Parramatta Council for ‘Measuring Impact of the Socially Sustainable Parramatta Framework’
Runner-Up: Mental Health – Children and Young People, NSW Ministry of Health for their ‘Evaluation of the Youth Community Living Support Service’
Watch the Finalists’ video pitches here: https://youtu.be/WLvVBzkXsBM
Innovation in Social Impact Measurement Award, sponsored by Urbis
Joint Winner: Flat Out and For Purpose Evaluations for ‘Women Inside and Out – Social Impact and Evaluation Framework’
Joint Winner: City of Parramatta Council for ‘Measuring Impact of the Socially Sustainable Parramatta Framework’
Joint Runner-Up: Documentary Australia Foundation for ‘Documentary evidence’
Joint Runner-Up: CYP Design & Construct Joint Venture for the ‘Melbourne Metro Tunnel Project’
Watch the Finalists’ video pitches here: https://youtu.be/rIXFLeuv3lo
Outstanding Collaboration in Social Impact Measurement Award, sponsored by SVA Consulting
Winner: CYP Design & Construct Joint Venture for the ‘Melbourne Metro Tunnel Project’
Runner-Up: TaskForce and Our Community for their ‘Data Partnership’
Watch the Finalists’ video pitches here: https://youtu.be/grk5ZcBTEDg
Effective Investment in Social Impact Measurement Award, sponsored by Our Community
Winner: Deloitte Access Economics and the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare for ‘Return on investment analysis for Raising Expectations’
Runner-Up: Central Coast Council and Urbis for their Social Impact Analysis of Out-Commuting
Watch the Finalists’ video pitches here: https://youtu.be/ynHCdgAClgk
Notes
Organised annually by the Social Impact Measurement Network of Australia (SIMNA), the SIMNA Awards recognise the leaders in Australian social impact measurement.
For the full list of shortlisted 2020 Finalists please visit the SIMNA website: https://simna.com.au/simna-awards-2020-finalists-announced/
For more information on the SIMNA Awards, please contact Lisa McGhee, Lead Doer and Connector at SIMNA on 0474 224 318 or email lisa@simna.com.au.
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