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Social Enterprise Awards Wales 2012 open for entries

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  • New categories introduced to recognise development of sectorSE Awards Wales 2012
  • Wales wide competition open until 24 August
  • Ceremony to be held in Prestatyn on 19 October 2012

 

The competition that celebrates the work and achievements of people and organisations in Wales’s growing social enterprise movement is now open.  New categories have been introduced to recognise the development and diversity of the sector, with a total of 4 categories open to applicants - more than ever before.  The organisers are looking for the business men and women who are turning capitalism on its head and running the businesses that most benefit society, communities and workers.

 

The UK is home to 68,000 social enterprises, ‘good’ businesses that include co-operatives, Community Interest Companies and trading charities.  The latest figures* show that Britain’s social enterprise sector is booming: 1 in 7 of all social enterprises is a start-up, more than three times the proportion of start-ups in the mainstream SME business sector.  And over half (58%) of social enterprises grew their business last year, compared to 28% of SMEs.

 

The sector’s flagship awards, now in their third year in Wales, are organised by the Wales Co-operative Centre and the Welsh Social Enterprise Coalition, who are working with partners in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland to reach out to Britain’s 68,000-strong social enterprise movement.

 

The winners will be decided by a panel of expert judges including some of Wales’s leading social entrepreneurs and announced at a ceremony to be held in the Scala Cinema and Arts Centre in Prestatyn, itself a social enterprise.  Wales’s winners will then go on to compete in the UK awards.

 

Entries are open until 24 August.  For more information and to enter, visit www.walescooperative.org/se-awards-wales-2012

 

Categories

  • Social enterprise leader of the year
  • Start-up social enterprise of the year
  • Wales social enterprise of the year
  • Social enterprise supporter of the year

 

Derek Walker, Chief Executive of the Wales Co-operative Centre, said:
“The rising number of new social enterprises, and growth of existing ones,  makes this a most exciting time in the Welsh social enterprise sector. We’re proud to present our 2012 awards to showcase the strength of the sector and the value it has to the economy and our communities. With nominations received last year from every corner of Wales, we look forward to seeing the mix of entries we receive."

 

John Bennett, Chief Executive of the Welsh Social Enterprise Coalition, said:
"We’re delighted to be running the Social Enterprise Awards Wales. They offer social enterprises the opportunity to be recognised and applauded for doing amazing work. The standard of entries grows every year and I expect it to be even higher this year.”

 

Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, said:
“The social enterprise movement is bursting at the seams with inspiring, driven and compassionate people who are making a difference, who want fairness and equality, who are using their entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen as a force for good. The awards are an opportunity to celebrate the very best of what is being achieved by people, teams and organisations working in Welsh social enterprise.”

 

Last year’s awards were hosted by broadcaster Nicola Heywood Thomas at the Wales Millennium Centre.  The 2011 Wales winners were

 

  • Vi-Ability Educational Programme - Social Enterprise Start Up of the Year.
  • Sharon Jones of Crest Co-operative - Social Enterprise Leader of the Year.
  • Co-options Ltd - Social Enterprise of the Year.