£6million reasons to celebrate Social Enterprise Day 2008 » Communities » 24dash.com

Not for profit organisations are being offered a once in a lifetime opportunity this National Social Enterprise Day, Thursday 20th November, thanks to the first ever £6million Social Entrepreneur Awards from Bank of Scotland Corporate.

Social Enterprise Day encourages people to generate enterprising ideas which will lead to social and environmental change and, as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, will harness the enterprising ideas of a nation to address some of society’s biggest issues.

The groundbreaking £6 million on offer for the Social Entrepreneur Awards means that the Social Enterprise Day will be the biggest ever and gives not for profit organisations the chance to receive a fantastic funding award. To encourage both smaller and larger not for profit organisations to apply, there are two tiers of award on offer.

The first is a package of up to £5million free of interest and arrangement fees for 3 years, or a one off cash donation of up to £500,000. The second is up to £1million free of interest and arrangement fees for 3 years, or a one off cash donation of up to £100,000.

The award is the biggest ever of its kind in the UK and, like Social Enterprise Day, has been created to encourage and nurture the British organisations that put welfare before wealth and reward those that put the greater good ahead of personal profits.

Phil Tulba of Make Your Mark says: “Social Entrepreneurs need our support and recognition and that’s why we’re extremely pleased that Bank of Scotland Corporate has decided to create this landmark award. Social enterprise is a serious business model for the 21st century and one which is extremely popular with young people.

Social Enterprise Day will empower more people to think about innovative, ethical and sustainable solutions to social problems. It will give them the inspiration to have ideas that could have a positive impact on their local community or a global issue.”

Social Enterprise Day is also part of the year round Make Your Mark: Change Lives campaign which is co-ordinated by Make Your Mark and the Social Enterprise Coalition with support from the Office of the Third Sector.

Social enterprises account for 5% of all businesses with employees and contribute £8.4 billion per year to the UK economy. From social care to community cohesion and renewable energy to recycling and fair trade, social enterprises can take the lead on tackling 21st century issues.

John Taylor, Head of Specialist Banking, Bank of Scotland Corporate, comments; “Social Enterprise Day 2008 is a chance to recognise the importance of social entrepreneurs in our business communities. I encourage local communities to get behind Social Enterprise Day and think about the role social entrepreneurs play in combining great business sense with the compassion to make a difference in communities. That’s why social entrepreneurs are so unique and it’s why Bank of Scotland Corporate is supporting them with this once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Who can enter?

The Social Entrepreneur Award is open to Not for Profit organisations whose primary purpose is to further social or environmental goals and those who operate for non-commercial purposes and social benefit. Such organisations cover a vast spectrum, ranging from Charities, Churches and Social Groups, to Public Sector organisations, Schools and Universities.

For more information – and to download an entry form – visit www.bossocialawards.co.uk
The closing date for entries is Monday 23 February 2009
The national final takes place on 25 June 2009