Social Enterprise Awards Launch

Applications are now open for the inaugural Australian Social Enterprise Awards, a new initiative to recognise the achievements of Australia’s thriving social enterprise movement.

The SE Awards have been instigated by Social Traders – a social enterprise development organisation based in Melbourne, in partnership with Foresters Community Finance, a community development finance organisation based in Brisbane.

Social enterprises are organisations that trade to achieve a public or community benefit. The SE Awards are looking for the men and women who are transforming capitalism, running businesses that most benefit society, communities and workers.

Social Traders Awards Manager, Alicia Darvall says social enterprise is now a global phenomenon, with some of the most well-known local examples including Bendigo Community Bank branches (as distinct from the parent Bendigo Bank), Opportunity Shops, Community Childcare Centres and The Big Issue magazine.

“There is currently a groundswell of interest in social enterprise from government, philanthropy and corporate business around the benefits of social enterprise – creating jobs, providing services and sharing profits in order to support community organisations,” Darvell said.

“An estimated 20,000 social enterprises are now operating in every industry of the Australian economy, throughout regional, remote and metro areas. The field is innovative, mature and sustainable with 60% of enterprises surveyed operating for at least 10 years.

“The latest ABS data shows 39% of income in the Not for Profit sector is earned through trade, indicating over a $29.5 billion contribution of social enterprise activity just in the NFP sector.”

Applicants are directed to enter the awards online at http://www.socialenterpriseawards.com.au by the closing date of Thursday March 21 2013. Finalists will be announced on Friday April 19.

“The Judging Panel is soon to be confirmed, and will include a spectrum of leading business and social enterprise figures,” Darvall said.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held in Melbourne in late May 2013.

Social Enterprise Awards Categories and Prizes

1. Social Enterprise of the Year – Small – supported by The Trust Company
$10,000 prize

2. Social Enterprise of the Year – Medium/Large
$10,000 prize

3. Youth- Led Social Enterprise of the Year
Ticket, Flights and Accommodation for an international conference either The Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship or The Social Enterprise World Forum

4. Social Enterprise Innovation Award
Ticket, Flights and Accommodation for an international conference either The Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship or The Social Enterprise World Forum

5. Social Procurement SE Supporter of the Year
Sponsored by Social Traders
Love, gratitude and recognition.

General Eligibility

For the awards categories specifically for Social Enterprises enterprsies must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the award:

• Be led by an economic, social, cultural, or environmental mission consistent with a public or community benefit
• Trade to fulfill your mission
• Reinvest the over 50% of your profit/surplus in the fulfillment of their mission
• Be incorporated and/or trading in Australia; and
• Derive a substantial portion of income from trade