To be considered eligible for the award, individuals, organizations, or community partners must demonstrate the following:

• Active engagement in initiatives that reduce poverty and strengthen inclusion,

• A sustained commitment to reducing stigma while raising awareness around social and economic barriers,

• Measurable results in fostering dignity, equity, and compassion in their work or community,

• An initiative having made a positive impact, and/or

• Alignment with the guiding principles or Overcoming Poverty Together 4: Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, and Wellbeing.

ESIC was founded based on the principle that all sectors must come together if we are to reduce poverty and increase inclusion. Awards will be granted in each sector. The Awards Committee will be looking for specific examples of activities in each category, as follows:

Candidates in the citizens sector lead by example on important issues of economic and social inclusion by:

• Being an ally for people who are part of marginalized communities,

• Volunteering with a non-profit,

• Embracing opportunities to increase literacy rates in New Brunswick through mentoring and tutoring,

• Volunteering time to help individuals access essential services and benefits they need to survive and thrive, and/or

• Sharing knowledge about programs and services available and striving to connect those in need who could benefit from improved access.

Candidates in the business sector lead by example on important issues of economic and social inclusion by:

• Supporting the adoption of a living wage and being a role model by ensuring that at least 80% of their staff receive a living wage,

• Providing access to paid sick leave for employees,

• Fostering an environment where employees have access to on-the-job skills training and educational opportunities to help them achieve income security,

• Hiring people living with disabilities and recognizing that their skills, education, and experience are valuable, and/or

• Promoting the adoption of plain language principles in communication.

Candidates in the non-profit sector lead by example on important issues of economic and social inclusion by:

• Embracing an operational model that is focused on collaboration and community to strengthen the non-profit sector in their community, region, or at the provincial level,

• Establishing initiatives that are focused on the dignity of the individual,

• Providing volunteer opportunities that include staff that will allow individuals to gain skills that are transferable to the workplace,

• Leveraging shared resources with other non-profits to reduce costs and barriers to providing services,

• Ensuring that hiring practices provide opportunities for employment of people who may otherwise experience barriers, and/or

• Inspiring others to lead change through authentic storytelling and trustbuilding to meet people where they are and help to reduce the stigma through understanding an individual’s lived experiences.

Candidates in the government sector lead by example on important issues of economic and social inclusion by:

• Ensuring that services and programs are delivered with dignity and focused on the wellbeing of the individual and community,

• Supporting non-profit organizations in their missions to improve the lives of New Brunswickers,

• Embracing collaboration and community in economic and social inclusion to support opportunities seeking to reduce stigma and discrimination,

• Promoting and raising awareness to the various benefits and services available in communities, such as the 211NB service and the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) clinics,

• Supporting community transportation that is affordable, accessible, and available for all and collaborating with partners to expand the services between communities,

• Meeting people where they are by organizing more citizen roundtables and open forums where people living in poverty can speak freely about the challenges they are facing, and/or

• Promoting and supporting the development of social enterprises focused on food security and social housing.