Carlow County Council – Local Enterprise Office is now accepting expressions of interest for the County Final of the National Enterprise Awards 2026 which will be announced on Wednesday 4th March 2026. The awards celebrate and honour the outstanding achievements of local businesses across the county. Business owners are invited to submit their expressions of interest before the deadline of 11th February 2026.
As part of Local Enterprise Week , the awards this year will recognise clients who participated in a variety of projects and programmes.
Eligibility for participation in the awards requires that businesses have fewer than 50 employees and have received direct support from Local Enterprise Office Carlow. The 2026 categories are County Carlow - Green Business Award , County Carlow - Lean Business Award , County Carlow – Digital Business Award , County Carlow – Exporting Business Award and finally the National Enterprise Awards – Carlow Enterprise of the Year. Four finalists will be shortlisted in each category.
Categories:
County Carlow – Green Business Award
Description: The Green Business Award recognises the business which has integrated sustainability into their core business strategies, prioritising environmental stewardship as a driving force for their success.
Eligibility: Micro Businesses with less than 50 staff located in County Carlow who have completed a Green for Business programme and received an Energy Efficiency Grant.
Judging: Green for Business Report. And 500 word summary to be submitted by applicant outlining their engagement with the Green for Micro/Business process and their enactment of the recommendations of the programme report.
County Carlow - Lean Business Award
Description: Recognising the business who has transformed their operations for enhanced efficiency, productivity, and overall business value through the successful implementation of Lean principles and practices.
Eligibility: Business located in County Carlow who have completed a Lean for Business programme.
Judging: Lean for Business Report. And 500 word summary to be submitted by applicant outlining their engagement with the Lean for Micro/Business process and their enactment of the recommendations of the programme report.
County Carlow – Digital Award
Description: Honouring the business which has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in embracing digital technologies to transform their business operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth.
Eligibility: Business located in County Carlow who have completed a Digital for Business programme and received a Grow Digital
Judging: Digital for Business Report. And 500 word summary to be submitted by applicant outlining their engagement with the Digital Start process and their enactment of the recommendations of the programme report.
County Carlow - Exporting Business Award
Description: The Exporting Business Award highlights the significant contribution of local businesses to the national economy through international trade. The award recognises businesses based in Carlow who have engaged with Local Enterprise Office services to increase their profile overseas and gain valuable international customers.
Eligibility: Local Enterprise Office clients located in County Carlow who have completed a Local Enterprise Office export programme or received a Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters grant or Market Explorer Grant
Judging: A 500 word summary to be submitted by applicant outlining their engagement with Export programmes or TAME or Market Explorer grants and the outcomes of this engagement.
National Enterprise Awards – Carlow Enterprise of the Year
Description: Recognising the business who has achieved growth through engagement with state supports, setting new standards for innovation and growth in Carlow and who shows the most ambitious plans for future development.
Eligibility: Business located in County Carlow who are current clients of the Local Enterprise Office, have no more than 10 FTE employees on 31.12.2025, are manufacturing or offer an internationally traded service and have availed of a Measure 1 financial support (Business Expansion Grant or Priming Grant) from the Local Enterprise Office
Winners Prize: represent Carlow in the National Enterprise Awards 2026
Scoring: Applicants will be scored based on the criteria published for the National Enterprise Awards and assessed against the most up to date business plan submitted to the Local Enterprise Office for grant aid purposes.