Nominations

Here’s how to put yourself or someone you admire, forward for an award

The Yorkshire Asian Young Achievers awards (The YAYAs) are open to young people who are aged between 16 and 35 years old in November 2025, of South Asian heritage (e.g. Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi etc), who were born or are living and working in Yorkshire.

They will be socially-mobile young achievers who have overcome challenges, deprivation and disadvantage, or have broken through traditional barriers to progress.

Entry is by completion of the form on the YAYAs website. Candidates may self-nominate or someone can nominate them (a nominator).

A nominator can be anybody who knows the candidate and is familiar with their work, journey, achievements, challenges etc.

Candidates and their nominators must be prepared to answer questions by phone or in person if the judges require it. In some cases, documentary evidence may be required to support their entry.

A shortlist of three people will be selected in each category and the winners will be announced at a gala awards dinner on November 2025.

Please note, if you are shortlisted for an award you will be required to make a short video clip by our videographer which will be shown on the event night and will be used to promote the YAYA’s

Deadline –   Sunday 20th July 2025 at 11:59pm

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NOMINATION GUIDELINES

In particular, we are looking for nominees who have overcome deprivation, poverty or less privileged backgrounds to make their way in life. We are seeking people who have:

  • Overcome barriers to their progress, such as traditional attitudes to their backgrounds, gender, race or religion
  • Achieved against all expectations
  • Overcome difficulties, be they physical, mental, financial or social, to achievement or social mobility
  • Given exemplary service
  • Have changed things or made things happen in a way that would benefit others
  • Have demonstrated innovation and/or entrepreneurship
  • Have given selfless service to other people, to a specific group or to the wider community
  • Stood out above others achieving in a similar field, group or community
  • Can inspire others or be seen as a role model to encourage success or raise the aspirations of other young South Asians in the future

Please see the individual category details for more information.

AWARDS NOMINATION RULES AND CONDITIONS

  • All entries must be submitted on the official online entry form.
  • The closing date for entries will be Sunday 20th July 2025 at 11:59pm. Entries received after this date will not be considered.
  • Nominees may be profiled in press releases for newspapers, related social media and other media platforms. 
  • Shortlisted nominees will be expected to appear in a short video (no longer than two minutes) to be shown on screen at the awards ceremony and online on the YAYA’s website.
  • The judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding their deliberations or decisions.
  • If any information provided about the nominee is discovered to be false, inaccurate or misleading, we reserve the right to disqualify the nominee from the competition.
  • The shortlisted nominees and a guest of their choice will be expected to attend the awards presentation dinner and ceremony in November 2025. Dinner and reception/table drinks are provided but travel to and from the event will be at their own expense.
  • No information regarding the winners will be given prior to the event.
  • All shortlisted nominees will be mentioned or featured in publicity in various media and social media in the build up to and following the announcement of the winners at the ceremony.
  • All award winners will be featured in photographs, videos, print, online and social content and will be featured in publicity to promote the awards in the following year.
  • The Yorkshire Asian Young Achievers Awards title and logo and the YAYAs short-form and logo are the © copyright of QED Foundation and must not be used without the written permission of the organisers.
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