Ceredigion County Council is inviting applications for the Caru Ceredigion Awards 2026 as it prepares to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the county’s businesses, communities and individuals for the third consecutive year.
The Caru Ceredigion Awards 2026, which will be held on the 10th of December at the Feathers Hotel, Aberaeron, will recognise the outstanding contributions and achievements of businesses, community projects and individuals from across the county.
Applications for the awards are now open, with 12 categories recognising achievements across a wide range of sectors. The categories include successful events, the tourism industry, young entrepreneurs, and the Pathway to Success Award, which celebrates an individual undertaking an apprenticeship or training programme with a local business or organisation. A brand-new category has also been introduced this year: the Innovation and Technology Award. This award will celebrate businesses that have demonstrated excellence in innovation and the creative use of technology or software to develop their business, products, services or ways of working.
Businesses of all sizes, non-profit organisations, charities and community groups from across the county are encouraged to apply and be part of a celebration of the people and organisations making a positive contribution to life in Ceredigion and helping to make the county a better and more prosperous place.
The awards are organised by Cynnal y Cardi under the Caru Ceredigion banner. Caru Ceredigion is a community led campaign that aims to foster a sense of pride in the county, encourage people to take part in activities that improve the environment, support local businesses, and strengthen communities across Ceredigion.
Councillor Clive Davies, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member for the Economy and Regeneration, said:
“Every day, individuals and organisations across Ceredigion demonstrate innovation, resilience and a commitment to helping their communities thrive. These awards shine a spotlight on those achievements and showcase the talent, ambition and community spirit that exist right across the county. I would encourage businesses, community groups, charities and individuals to submit an application and help us celebrate the success stories that make Ceredigion such a special place to live, work and visit.”
The Caru Ceredigion Awards 2026 are proudly sponsored by the Welsh Government, which is committed to supporting economic growth, tackling the challenges facing people and businesses, and creating opportunities that enable the economy to grow and thrive.
Adam Price MS, Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, said:
“The Caru Ceredigion Awards provide an important opportunity to celebrate the businesses, organisations and individuals making a significant contribution to Ceredigion’s economy and communities.
“As we develop a new direction for the Welsh economy, innovation will be a key pillar of our approach – we want to support businesses to develop new products and services, embrace new technologies, invest in research and development, and improve productivity and competitiveness.
“The introduction of the Innovation and Technology Award is a welcome addition to this year’s awards programme, recognising businesses across Ceredigion that are innovating to solve challenges, improve customer experiences, drive sustainable growth and create new opportunities.”
Although Ceredigion benefits from some of the highest business start up survival rates in Wales, a highly skilled workforce with above-average qualifications, and a thriving knowledge sector, significant challenges remain. These include attracting more businesses to the county, creating high quality employment opportunities, and enabling young people to build their careers locally.
The full list of award categories and eligibility criteria is available on the Ceredigion County Council website: Caru Ceredigion Awards 2026 – Ceredigion County Council
Entry to the awards is free of charge, and the closing date for applications is Friday 16 October 2026.
Applications will be assessed by a panel of expert judges during October, before a shortlist of finalists are announced. Winners in each category will be revealed at the Caru Ceredigion Awards 2026 ceremony, which will take place on the 10 December 2026 at the Feathers Hotel, Aberaeron.
