Spice Without Borders

DONATE NOW

Equipping and Honouring Social Visionaries

Menu

Spicy Awards

Honouring Changemakers from the Margins

The Spicy Awards is one of the most prestigious accolades that an individual or organization can aspire to—recognized as one of the most impactful cross-industry and cross-border honours for changemakers.

Rooted in the values of equity, creativity, innovation, and inclusion, the Spicy Awards seek to recognize and celebrate those transforming lives at the margins of society—regardless of age, status, or background.


These are the Activists, Creatives, Entrepreneurs, Initiators, and Innovators whose work challenges norms, inspires action, and brings dignity to underserved communities.

But the Spicy Awards are more than just trophies or applause. They exist because we deeply believe that individual social change leaders and ethical enterprises—those with entrepreneurial drive, a growth mindset, and a systems approach—play a critical role in addressing poverty, injustice, and inequality.

Award categories span a wide range of sectors, including Agriculture, Education, Healthcare, Media, Technology, and more.

We are committed to building stronger, more ethical, and more innovative ecosystems by uplifting those already doing the work—often without recognition—and offering them visibility, credibility, and community.

Honourees also gain access to the Spicy Circle—a global summit for collaboration, leadership, and learning.

The awards are an initiative of Spice Without Borders (SwB), founded by Erick Inghatt Matsanza.

SwB is a global leadership incubator that equips marginalized changemakers with the tools, mentorship, and mindset to turn bold ideas into community-rooted ventures. At its heart is a belief in a just, inclusive world, shaped by ethical, purpose-driven leaders—one idea and one changemaker at a time.

More at http://www.spicewithoutborders.org/awards

SPICY AWARDS CATEGORY FRAMEWORK

Honouring Changemakers from the Margins – Rooted in the Spirit of Spice Without Borders. Organized Under Five Spicy Archetypes: Activists, Creatives, Entrepreneurs, Initiators and Innovators

Activists

Honouring individuals and organizations who champion justice, rights, wellbeing, and sustainability for people and planet.

  1. Young Activist of the Year (9–20 years): Recognizes a young person who has taken bold steps to drive change on a pressing social or environmental issue. Nominees must demonstrate leadership, community impact, and a commitment to values that transcend their years.
  2. Concerned Citizen of the Year:

         Human Rights: Celebrates an advocate who has courageously defended or promoted human rights, dignity, or civic freedoms

         for marginalized populations.

         Environment: Honours an environmental steward actively restoring ecosystems, advancing climate action, or
         advocating for environmental justice at the grassroots level.

  1. Environmental Activist of the Year: Acknowledges those championing environmental restoration, conservation, or advocacy with measurable, long-term impact.
  2. Young Environmental Champion of the Year: Recognizes a youth-led initiative or leader under 25 tackling local or global environmental challenges using creative, scalable, or educational approaches.
  3. Social Justice Campaign of the Year: Honours campaigns—led by individuals, collectives, or organizations—that effectively advance social justice, equity, or civil liberties through policy change, public awareness, or legal reform.
  4. Mental Health Advocate of the Year: Recognizes outstanding contributions by individuals or groups promoting mental wellbeing, reducing stigma, and increasing access to mental health care—especially among underserved communities.
  5. Diversity & Inclusion Champion: Honours those leading structural change or awareness efforts to foster greater representation, equity, and inclusion across identity, gender, ability, or background.
  6. Community Service & Volunteer Award: Celebrates those who consistently give their time, expertise, or resources for the wellbeing of others without seeking personal gain. Open to formal and informal initiatives.
  7. Charity and Philanthropy Impact Award: Recognizes individuals or organizations whose philanthropic work has created lasting change—through giving, infrastructure, capacity-building, or direct relief.

Creatives

Celebrating artists, storytellers, communicators, and cultural transformers advancing justice, joy, and dignity.

  1. Arts and Culture Impact Award

        Events & Festivals: Recognizes cultural gatherings that build community, preserve heritage, or elevate marginalized voices.

        Creative Spaces: Honours studios, collectives, or institutions fostering inclusive, purpose-driven art and dialogue.

  1. Music and Entertainment Excellence

        Music Artist / Comedian / Spoken Word / Actor / Song / Film of the Year:  Celebrates creative works that inspire, challenge,

        and shift societal narratives.

  1. Authorship & Creative Writing Award: Honours authors or literary initiatives whose work uplifts underrepresented stories, sparks imagination, or incites change.
  2. Media & Journalism Award

        Print, Radio, TV: Recognizes ethical, courageous, and community-focused journalism that sheds light on issues at the margins.

  1. Digital Culture & Social Impact Media

        Blog of the Year / Influencer-led Campaign / Cultural Change Driver: Celebrates creators using digital platforms to advocate
        for transformation, inclusion, or justice.

  1. Fashion & Design for Change Award: Recognizes visionary design (fashion, graphics, architecture, etc.) rooted in sustainability, identity, and impact.

Entrepreneurs

Recognizing builders of purpose-driven ventures advancing social and environmental good.

  1. Entrepreneur of the Year: Celebrates outstanding individuals demonstrating resilience, purpose, and innovation in business.
  2. Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Under 35): Recognizes emerging business leaders creating value and impact with fresh ideas.
  3. Startup of the Year (Under 5 years): Honours promising early-stage ventures solving local challenges through innovation.
  4. Family Business of the Year: Celebrates intergenerational enterprises integrating tradition, community service, and growth.
  5. Founder of the Year: Recognizes a founder whose original vision and leadership have shaped transformational impact.
  6. Inclusive Business of the Year: Celebrates businesses proactively promoting inclusive hiring, services, or leadership structures.
  7. Most Spicy Individual

        Student Changemaker: Acknowledges students driving tangible change beyond academia.

        Emerging Leader (Director of the Year): Highlights young professionals igniting reform within systems or institutions.

  1. Accelerator or Incubator of the Year: Honours programmes supporting grassroots and purpose-driven entrepreneurs.
  2. Social Enterprise Impact Award: Recognizes social enterprises blending business models with transformative community impact.
  3. Coworking Space of the Year (Inclusive & Impact-Focused): Celebrates coworking hubs nurturing collaboration, equity, and innovation.
  4. Company of the Year (Large Purpose-Driven Enterprise): Honours established enterprises demonstrating sustainability, governance, and social value.

Initiators

Celebrating educators, organizers, and institutions that ignite and grow changemaking at the grassroots.

  1. Community Organization of the Year: Recognizes community-rooted organizations with impactful, locally-driven solutions.
  2. Community Partnership of the Year: Celebrates effective collaborations across sectors that achieve shared goals and inclusive change.
  3. Development of the Young Workforce Award: Honours initiatives preparing youth for meaningful employment, entrepreneurship, or civic life.
  4. Education Excellence Awards

        Centre of Educational Excellence: For institutions innovating in learning and inclusion.

        Educator of the Year: Honours teaching excellence across academic and non-academic fields.

        Indigenous Education Champion: Recognizes efforts preserving indigenous knowledge and pedagogies.

  1. Exceptional Mentorship Award: Celebrates mentors empowering individuals or teams to reach their potential.
  2. Governance & Government Agency Impact Award: Recognizes public sector leadership rooted in accountability, transparency, and service.
  3. Health & Wellness Excellence:

        Healthcare / Mental Health / Wellbeing: Honours efforts supporting holistic health at all levels.

  1. Tourism & Hospitality Changemaker Awards:

        Leisure & Tourism / Cultural Itinerary / Tour Warrior / Accommodation Warrior:  Celebrates ethical, inclusive tourism
        promoting culture and livelihoods.

Innovators

Highlighting visionary problem-solvers advancing systems change through bold ideas and practical tools.

  1. Innovation of the Year Award: Recognizes standout innovations addressing critical social or environmental needs.
  2. Disruptor of the Year (Product/Service): Honours radical solutions that reimagine systems and unlock new possibilities.
  3. Technology for Social Change Award: Recognizes tech applications that promote dignity, accessibility, and sustainability.
  4. Science, Technology & Innovation Impact Award: Celebrates breakthroughs rooted in scientific rigour and real-world benefit.
  5. Telecom & Software Development Award: Recognizes digital solutions enhancing connectivity, equity, or civic access.
  6. Environment & Climate Sustainability Awards:

        Climate Action Champion / Environment-Conscious Organization / Green Campaign of the Year: Honours leadership in
        reversing environmental degradation or pioneering ecological stewardship.

  1. Real Estate & Built Environment for Good

        Architectural Design / Green Construction / Residential Projects / Realtor of the Year: Celebrates sustainable,
        inclusive, and people-centered design and development.

  1. Mobility, Logistics & Green Transport Award: Honours systems improving mobility while reducing carbon and increasing equity.
  2. Energy, Oil & Gas – Clean Innovation Focus: Celebrates ethical and renewable energy innovations led by mission-aligned organizations.
  3. International Expansion with Impact: Recognizes organizations scaling responsibly while upholding purpose and partnership.

Special Recognition

Lifetime Spicy Achievement Award:
Awarded to a transformative individual who has consistently led long-term social change over decades. Not open to public nominations.

Skip to content