Time Out for Thinking

This is probably something we could all benefit from - time to think to be imaginative and creative.

https://socialenterprise.guardian.co.uk/social-enterprise-network/2012/sep/19/creativity-career-social-enterprise

What do you think?  Have you managed to do this?  Let us know.

What can not-for-profit organisations learn from the private sector?

An interesting article about how charities and not for profit organisations can benefit from being more business minded:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/voluntary-sector-network/2012/sep/18/not-for-profit-private-sector

Take a look, what do you think?  What's your experience?

The Edinburgh College Green Transport Prize

The Edinburgh College Green Transport Prize is committed to the development of green transport solutions that make use of renewable energy sources and have minimum impact upon the environment. The scheme operates as an annual award designed to recognise the innovative and enterprising contributions to green transport solutions.

The winning project will be awarded £50,000 to develop their project, with the two runners-up receiving £25,000 each.

The best entries will be showcased at a Green Transport Prize event hosted by The Scotsman Conferences and Edinburgh College in May 2013, with the winners announced on the day.

The following themes included in the 2013 Prize have been chosen to provide regional, national and international benefits and examples of these themes include:

• Urban Transport Solutions
• Rural Transport Solutions
• Waterway Transport Solutions
• Low Carbon Logistics and Freight Transportation
• Sustainable Transport Options

Submissions will be accepted from individuals, community groups, public and private sector organisations from countries worldwide involved in the promotion of green transport initiatives.

The 2012 deadline for entries to the 2013 prize is 30 November 2012.

http://www.jec.ac.uk/

(Source: Grantfinder)

The Shell Springboard Awards 2013

The Shell Springboard Awards launched in 2005 and have since attracted over 1,000 applications from small business owners with ideas to combat climate change, allocating more £2.25 million to 62 businesses.

The programme provides a financial boost to innovative, low carbon business initiatives from across the UK. The objective is to encourage businesses to see climate change responsibilities as more than compliance and cost. Shell believes there is a marked business opportunity if society is to move from a carbon-constrained world.

Nine awards of up to £40,000 are available through the programme with the best two regional entries being forwarded for the overall UK award.

Applications are accepted from sole traders, partnerships, limited companies or community interest companies (including government or university spin-outs) that operate in the UK. Businesses must have been established for a minimum of three months and have less than 250 employees.

All applications must be made via a form on the Shell Springboard website.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 18 January 2013.

(Source: Grantfinder)

Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs

Sponsored by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and administered by Leonard Cheshire Disability, the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK seeks out and celebrates business ability by recognising an exceptional disabled entrepreneur.

The competition is open to disabled entrepreneurs on the management board, and with ownership, of any business in the UK. Eligible businesses must have an annual turnover above £10,000 and have been trading for between one and five years.

The Award carries a prize of £50,000. This money is to be reinvested in the winner’s business. The winner can spend this money however they like, for example they could:

• Buy a piece of new equipment that would enable them to increase production capacity.
• Fund new staff costs to expand a sales team.
• Embark upon an international operation.

The 2012 Awards are now open to applications.

The deadline for entries is 5pm on Friday 26 October 2012.

http://www.lcdisability.org/

(Source: Grantfinder)

Third Sector Awards Cymru

The Third Sector Awards Cymru, supported by Class Telecommunications, celebrate the inspiring work of voluntary organisations from all over Wales.
This year the number of categories has risen from four to six – the Class award for best communications; the Green award; the Health, social care and wellbeing award; the Most Admired Organisation and, new for 2012, the award for good governance and the award for innovative fundraising. Winners will receive their awards at a gala dinner in Cardiff in January 2013.
Jonathan Levy, Class Telecommunications’ Chief Operating Officer, said: ‘Every year the Welsh third sector continues to impress with its hard work and determination to make a difference to lives across the country. These awards are a way to give something back to the groups that make an often unheralded, but very real, positive impact on our communities.’You can find the nomination form here.
Forms should be returned to news@wcva.org.uk. The deadline for nominations is 16 November 2012.

(Source WCVA)

BBC One Shoe looking for community projects

The show is looking for community projects across the UK that need a helping hand. It wants to use its influence to galvanise volunteer efforts in different schemes for a new weekly feature on the programme in the coming months.

For example - Perhaps you have a community hall that needs a lick of paint and a good tidy up but haven't been able to organise a volunteer day to sort it out - Let The One Show see what it can do. Has your local fireworks display/concert been forced to cancel? Maybe The One Show can help. Is your community bus service at risk unless more volunteers are found? Let the One Show spearhead the search to keep it going.

Or maybe you have a dedicated community stalwart who deserves a big thank you? Let the One Show organise a suitable celebration.

Planning is currently at an early stage but please get in touch as soon as possible if you think you have suitable project or idea.  Email Richard.park@bbc.co.uk  and mark your emails ‘One Show Community Action’.

PAVO FUNDING SURVEY

PAVO wants to ensure that it is meeting the needs of our members in relation to the funding services we provide. Your views matter to us. Please spare us a few minutes to provide us with the following information. The survey is confidential. The survey can be found at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2GRVZLX

Thank you in advance for your co-operation.

Business Wales

Have you had a look at the Business Wales website?  It is the Welsh Governments online information service for businesses.  The website covers every aspect of running a business, and you can sign up for the free e-newsletter to keep up to date with the latest developments.

To access the webpage, follow the link: http://business.wales.gov.uk/bdotg/action/home?r.s=m&site=230