North West and Larne Partnerships win prestigious Community Wealth Building Award

The North West Community Wealth Building Partnership and the Larne Community Wealth Building Partnership have been jointly awarded the Community Wealth Building Award at the Social Enterprise NI Awards 2025, held in Belfast.

This award recognises their pioneering work in embedding community wealth building principles across local government, anchor institutions, and the social economy, placing local people, assets, and values at the heart of economic development.

Led by Enterprise North West and supported by over 25 key community anchor organisations, including Derry City and Strabane District Council, North West Regional College,  Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, Ulster University, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the North West Community Wealth Building Partnership is driving a bold and inclusive vision for the region. Its mission is to improve people’s lives, support inclusive and sustainable economic growth, creating more jobs and opportunities for local people and successful places across the DCSDC area. This ambition is underpinned by capital development plans worth over £50 million, alongside a wide portfolio of community-led projects which have already begun and are making impact.

“This award is a testament to the power of collaboration and local partnerships and the belief that local economies can be reimagined to serve the common good,” said Brian O'Neill, Co-Chair for the North West CWB Partnership. 

“We’re proud to work alongside our colleagues in Larne to demonstrate that community wealth building is not just a policy, it’s a practical, people-centred approach to economic development.”

The Larne Community Wealth Building Partnership, led by LEDCOM was also recognised for its commitment to inclusive growth and its role in piloting new approaches to local economic development within Larne.

“This joint award reflects a growing movement across Northern Ireland,” said Ken Nelson, Co-Chair of the Larne CWB Partnership.

“By working together, we’re showing that community wealth building can be adapted to different places and priorities, whether urban or rural, cross-border or coastal.”

The Social Enterprise NI Awards 2025 brought together social enterprises from across the region, celebrating innovation, resilience, and impact in the social economy. The joint win signals a broader shift toward economic models that prioritise wellbeing, sustainability, and democratic participation.

“We are delighted to receive this award in partnership with Larne,” added the North West CWB Partnership. 

“It reflects the energy and commitment of both Partnerships and our partner organisations who are working every day to build a more inclusive economy.”