12 Feb 2026
Housing organisation Acis Group has been selected as a finalist in a regional awards programme for its innovative learning programme targeting 15-19 year olds.
The not-for-profit group, which provides social housing, employment, education and wellbeing services in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and the Humber, was announced as one of several shortlisted organisations in the 2026 Building Communities Awards.
Organised by East Midlands procurement consortium EEM, the annual awards celebrate excellence, innovation and professionalism in the housing and construction sectors.
Securing a position among the shortlisted organisations for the Best Use of an EEM Community Donation category, Acis Group’s entry demonstrates how it has used its donation for both immediate and long-term benefits to its communities through its ‘Flare’ learning programme for young learners.
Delivered by one of the group’s education and wellbeing providers, Clip (Community Learning in Partnership), the donation was allocated as the budget for the students’ hands-on ‘Enterprise’ project: a Spring Fair held in Gainsborough to raise money for the local foodbank.
The 30 young learners involved in the project devised and delivered the whole project, not only raising £450 for a Gainsborough-based foodbank, but developing a host of long-lasting benefits and life-skills that will help them in their first career steps. With the fair proving popular across a range of communities, plans are also in place for a 2026 follow-up to the inaugural spring-time event.
Hannah Taylor-Dales, head of business development at Acis Group said: “We’re delighted to have this great project recognised in these awards.
“The EEM Community Donation enables these kind of ideas to be possible, but it is down to the students’ creativity, tenacity and dedication that make it become a reality.
“From the much-needed funds raised for the foodbank, to the untold benefits that a project of this scale has given these young people and the local community who engaged in the event, the Spring Fair was a huge success and testament to these fantastic learners.”
The winners of the 2026 Building Communities Awards will be announced on Friday, 20 March 2026.