Sustainability Awards 2025: Applications Open
12th March 2025
Applications for the 2025 QEST and Heritage Crafts Sustainability Award are now open, running until Tuesday 1 July. This award, now in its third year, recognises craftspeople across the UK who have taken significant steps to reduce their environmental impact and improve the sustainability of their craft practices.
Recognising Sustainable Innovation in Craft
The Sustainability Award celebrates makers who have made measurable changes to their materials, processes, or introduced innovative approaches to reduce their environmental footprint within the past 12 months. Craftspeople working with traditional skills or materials, who have embraced sustainability and contributed to the long-term viability of their businesses, are encouraged to apply.
Through the partnership with Heritage Crafts, the award aims to showcase excellence in sustainable craft and promote innovative practices that ensure the UK’s rich craft sector continues to thrive for future generations.
Winners of the 2024 Awards Allister Malcolm and QEST Alumni Rachael Colley
Two Categories to Highlight Sustainable Achievements
There are two award categories this year, each designed to highlight different approaches to sustainability in craft:
Innovative Approaches to Environmental Sustainability:
This category is for those who have demonstrated a unique and innovative approach to environmental sustainability. The recipient will have pioneered a ground-breaking solution, technique, or process that challenges conventional wisdom and inspires others in the craft sector to explore new methods of working sustainably.
Incremental Changes to Environmental Sustainability:
This category recognises craftspeople who have made incremental yet substantial improvements to the environmental impact of their business. By implementing practical initiatives to reduce waste, conserve resources, and mitigate environmental harm over time, the recipient will have shown a steadfast commitment to making their practice more sustainable.
Past Winners: Demonstrating their dedication to sustainable practices
In 2024, Allister Malcolm (left), a glass artist, was recognised for reducing his studio’s carbon footprint through the use of renewable energy, while QEST Alumni Rachael Colley (middle) was honoured for her innovative use of sustainable materials in her jewellery, challenging societal notions of value and consumption. Both makers demonstrate the powerful impact of sustainable practices within their craft.
The inaugural year of the QEST and Heritage Crafts Sustainability Award in 2023 saw Lulu Harrison (right), a QEST Johnnie Walker Scholar, recognised for incorporating waste from local fishing industries into her glass pieces. Reflecting on her win, Lulu said, “Being the first recipient of this award has been a real honour, with the award money going towards future projects which wouldn’t have otherwise been possible.”
Apply Now
Anyone can nominate a craftsperson or micro-business, including self-nominations, for the QEST and Heritage Crafts Sustainability Award. Each winner will receive a £1,000 prize and an invitation to attend a prestigious awards ceremony hosted by Heritage Crafts.
The QEST and Heritage Crafts Sustainability Award is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and support craftspeople who are making significant strides in sustainable practices. Applications are open until Tuesday 1 July 2025, and we look forward to seeing the innovative ways makers across the UK are driving change in the craft sector.
Craft Masterclass: Advancing sustainability in your practice with QEST and Heritage Crafts
Tuesday, 8 April from 12pm – 1pm.
Join QEST’s first Zoom masterclass for 2025 where we will explore how you can practically enhance sustainability in your craft practice.
Hosted by QEST and Heritage Crafts, we will be joined by guest speakers and winners of the 2024 QEST and Heritage Crafts Sustainability Award – glass artist Allister Malcolm and jeweller and metalworker Rachael Colley.
