Applications Open for National Social Enterprise Awards
25 February 2015 at 9:57 am
Applications are open for the 2015 Social Enterprise Awards, including a new category set to showcase some of the sector’s most recognisable faces.
The 2015 Australian Social Enterprise Awards hosted by specialist social enterprise development organisation, Social Traders, will include The Social Enterprise Champion Award, which will recognise an individual who has made a significant contribution to the development of social enterprise in Australia.
Social Traders Managing Director David Brookes said the national awards were an important opportunity to bring together the social enterprise community and celebrate the achievements of organisations and individuals who are making an impact in our community.
“Across Australia social enterprises are driving change and creating innovative solutions to some of our most pressing social and environmental issues.
“The Awards are a great opportunity to showcase the strength and diversity of social enterprise activity, and to celebrate the amazing talent and innovative thinking behind these enterprises.
“This year as well as recognising social enterprises and those groups investing in and supporting social enterprises, we have also introduced a new Award to recognise an individual who has made a big impact to social enterprise in Australia.
“Social Traders is excited to be hosting the Awards for the third consecutive year and we look forward to receiving another impressive range of entries this year.
The awards are open to organisations operating across all sectors of the economy that are led by an economic, social, cultural, or environmental mission delivering public or community benefit, and those supporting social procurement and investment in the Australian social enterprise sector.
As well as receiving industry acknowledgement at a special Awards ceremony to be held in Melbourne in June, the Awards help to raise awareness and the public profile of social enterprises through increased publicity and media exposure.
Previous award winners have included: SEED Parks and Property Maintenance, who provide work for Brisbane’s long term unemployed; STREAT enterprises, whose cafe and hospitality businesses are tackling youth homelessness and disadvantage in Melbourne; Thank You, who have taken thirst for bottled water and transformed it into funds for life-changing health projects in developing countries; and Connecting Up, who have saved the Not for Profit sector over $50 million through discounted software sales.
The 2015 Award categories are: Social Enterprise of the Year (Small), Social Enterprise of the Year (Large), One to Watch, Social Enterprise Investment, Social Innovation, Buy Social, and the Social Enterprise Champion Award (Individual).
According to Social Traders, the Awards will be decided through a rigorous judging process, involving a unique panel of sector and content experts. Previous members of the Awards For the 2014 Awards, Social Traders received 87 applications across six categories.judging panel have included renowned business leaders, philanthropists and social entrepreneurs.
Finalists will be announced in April 2015, with winner announced at an awards ceremony in June.
For the 2014 Awards, Social Traders received 87 applications across six categories.
To apply for the Social Enterprise Awards or for more information visit www.socialenterpriseawards.com.au
Closing date for entries is 5pm, Friday 27 March 2015.
