National Social Enterprise Award
Overview
Social enterprises are businesses trading with a social purpose, and according to Gordon Brown they are the "new frontier of British business". They could work in any trade sector, be any size or have any legal structure.
The annual Enterprising Solutions Awards reward the most imaginative, entrepreneurial, and sustainable businesses that are passionate about social change. Now in its 10th year, this year's awards promise to be the biggest and best to date.
The Awards celebrate the achievements of a diverse range of organisations: from farmers' co-operatives and recycling groups, to leisure trusts and care homes.
It doesn't matter how big your organisation is, what its legal structure is, or what sector you work in; as long as you can show you're having a positive social or environmental impact, you could be in with a chance of winning ESA08.
The three categories in this year's competition are:
- Best Social Enterprise
- Best New Social Enterprise
- Social Enterprise in Schools
The Overall Winner will receive a cash prize of £10,000 and a year's free membership to the Coalition. Three other finalists and the winner of the New Social Enterprise Award will receive £5,000 each.
We are looking for applications from enterprises that are innovative and dynamic. You could work in any trade sector, be any size or have any legal structure - charitable, non-profit distributing, mutual, co-operative, community or socially directed. What is important is that you have social or environmental aims and can show evidence of this.
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Proof of positive impact on society and/or environment; evidence of a commitment to social change
- Evidence of innovation in the way the business operates or meets social and/or environmental needs
- Trading activity by provision of a clear breakdown of income for the last three years of trading (at least one year for New Social Enterprise Award applications).
- That 50% or more of the organisations income has been received through enterprising trading activities in at least the last year.
- Future development/ growth and continued innovation by provision of a business plan for the next three years.
- That they started in the UK
New Social Enterprise Award:
We will once again welcome applications from new and emerging organisations who have been running for three years or less. For this award you will be required to meet the above criteria and provide audited accounts (or certified accounts) for at least one year, plus draft accounts.
How to Apply
If your organisation fits the criteria and you would like to enter please complete the online application form.
Once the first sift has been completed, shortlisted organisations will be asked to provide full financial audited accounts for the last three years of trading (at least one year for the New Social Enterprise Award, plus draft accounts) and supporting information including marketing materials and if available a copy of their social audit accounts.