Co-op Social Enterprise Awards open for nomination

walescooperative.org/social-enterprise-awards-wales-2013

Santander Social Enterprise Development Awards

The Social Enterprise Development Awards aim to recognise and support social enterprises and Community Interest Companies in the UK that are working to grow their business and improve their local community.

This year the total amount of prize money is £2.3 million. This will be split evenly across eight region of the UK: London and the South East, South West, Midlands, North East and North West, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Each region will get £280,000 which will be divided into seven awards for the £10,000 prize; eight for the £20,000 and one for the £50,000 award.

In addition to the funding, the winning social enterprises will receive a business support package from Santander including fully-funded internships, business webinar presentations, consultancy days and the opportunity to network with other enterprises and small businesses

Social Enterprises and Community Interest Companies can apply as long as they:

• Have been established and trading for two or more years.
• Have an aspiration to grow their business.
• Have a turnover of less than £1 million per year.
• Can provide two years of management or audited accounts upon request.
• Are generating at least 50% of their income from trading activities.
• Have a business that directly benefits their community in one or more of the following ways:
  • Improving social inclusion.
  • Supporting training, skills and employment.
  • Creating a greener environment.

To enter the competition, social enterprises should complete a short entry form downloadable from Santander's website (opens new window) detailing how an award would be used to grow their business to benefit the community.

Entries will be accepted until 1 July 2013. The winners will be announced in September 2013.

Source: Santander, 03/06/2013

Fund101 re-opening this week

Reopening this week, Fund101 targets UK-based entrepreneurs looking to turn an idea into a new business and existing small companies wishing to purchase equipment to help take their enterprise to the next level.

Administered by Enterprise Nation, the programme is designed to assist those who are looking for relatively small amounts of capital support. The initial funding pool is £50,000 and this will be topped up each month with an additional £5,000. Individual grants ranging from £50 to £500 can be requested. Fund101 winners will also receive up to $500 of Elance credit to spend on outsourced work.

The grants can be used to fund miscellaneous capital costs associated with starting up a new venture and for existing small businesses to purchase equipment, promotional flyers, hardware etc, in order to boost their operations.

UK-based start-ups looking to commence trading and those who are already in business and need funding to further their enterprise may be eligible for assistance through Fund101.

To apply, entrants must complete an online application, explaining how much money they require and for what purpose. They must then raise an equivalent number of votes to the grant they are seeking – if they need £100, they must engage 100 people to vote for them online.

When the target is met, the funds will be deposited into the successful candidates' PayPal accounts. Grant recipients must agree to be profiled on the Fund101 webpage to explain how the grant has benefited their business.

The programme closes in November. Meanwhile, applications will be accepted with monthly deadlines. The next deadline is 24 June 2013.

http://www.enterprisenation.com/fund101/

(Source: Grantfinder)

Welsh Language Technology and Digital Media Fund

The Welsh Language Technology and Digital Media Fund has been established to provide grants for projects that encourage activities aimed at promoting the use of the Welsh language, through technology and digital media. The scheme's main focus areas are:

• Raising awareness of, or promoting the use of, Welsh language software, applications, online services, content creation tools – and Welsh language digital content.
• Supporting the development of Welsh language software and digital services available online.
• Increasing the amount of digital content available in Welsh online.

The programme has an indicative budget of £150,000 available to be awarded during 2013-2014. Individual grants will usually range from a minimum of £5,000 to a maximum of £50,000 per application; however, bids for smaller or greater amounts can be considered.

Examples of activities that are eligible for support include:

• Development of Welsh-language software applications (apps) for a variety of platforms, including mobiles/smartphones, tablets, PCs and internet-enabled- televisions.
• Training initiatives and coding courses, including training for young people.
• The development of text-to-speech, voice recognition, e-publishing, machine translation and translation memory technologies.

Applications will be accepted from voluntary and community sector organisations, charities, social enterprises, private sector businesses and public sector bodies located in Wales. Bids involving a consortium of the aforementioned organisations may also be accepted.

Applications must be submitted in electronic form to mewnflwch.grantiau@wales.gsi.gov.uk by midday on Friday 26 July 2013. Following this, hard copy applications must be received Wednesday 31 July 2013.

(This report was the subject of a GRANTfinder Newsflash.)

http://wales.gov.uk/

Outreach Session 26-6-2013

Do you need some funding support?  Have you got an issue around governance?  Would you like to discuss potential project ideas?  Would your organisation like a health check?

Come along at meet with PAVO Development Officers on the following dates:

·         Wednesday 26^th June 2013    Newtown                10 – 3pm      Plas Dolerw

To make an appointment please contact PAVO on 01597 822191.

Santander Social Enterprise Development Awards

This award is available for established social enterprises which have at least 50% of their total income generated from trading activities

There are 16 awards to be made, linked to turnover:

1 x £50,000 awards for social enterprises with a turnover of £250,000 - £1,000,000

8 x £20,000 awards for social enterprises with a turnover of £100,000 - £250,000

7 x £10,000 awards for social enterprises with a turnover of up to £100,000

The deadline to apply is July 1^st 2013 at 5pm.  Applications can be made by visiting the website:http://www.cfiw.org.uk/grants.html#SEDA and following the relevant link.

Fund101 Reopens Offering £1,000 a Month to New Businesses (UK)

Reopening this week, Fund101 targets UK-based entrepreneurs looking to turn an idea into a new business and existing small companies wishing to purchase equipment to help take their enterprise to the next level.

Administered by Enterprise Nation, the programme is designed to assist those who are looking for relatively small amounts of capital support. The initial funding pool is £50,000 and this will be topped up each month with an additional £5,000. Individual grants ranging from £50 to £500 can be requested. Fund101 winners will also receive up to $500 of Elance credit to spend on outsourced work.

The grants can be used to fund miscellaneous capital costs associated with starting up a new venture and for existing small businesses to purchase equipment, promotional flyers, hardware etc, in order to boost their operations.

UK-based start-ups looking to commence trading and those who are already in business and need funding to further their enterprise may be eligible for assistance through Fund101.

To apply, entrants must complete an online application, explaining how much money they require and for what purpose. They must then raise an equivalent number of votes to the grant they are seeking – if they need £100, they must engage 100 people to vote for them online.

When the target is met, the funds will be deposited into the successful candidates' PayPal accounts. Grant recipients must agree to be profiled on the Fund101 webpage to explain how the grant has benefited their business.

The programme closes in November. Meanwhile, applications will be accepted with monthly deadlines. The next deadline is 24 June 2013.

http://www.enterprisenation.com/

(Source: Grantfinder)

POWYS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2013 OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS

Do you know someone who has proved an inspiration to others through their volunteering?

Is there a group or organisation that you know of that has made a real difference to the community through their volunteering activity?

Is there someone that has made an outstanding contribution over the years that you feel deserves recognition?

Why not nominate them for a Powys Volunteer Centre "Powys Volunteer of the Year" award.

Closing date for applications is Friday 28^th June 2013

For more information and a nomination form click here.

Charity trading arm tips

An interesting article detailing the top tips for charities looking to build a trading arm:

http://socialenterprise.guardian.co.uk/social-enterprise-network/2013/jun/03/top-tips-charities-business-arms

MID WALES SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ALLIANCE

MID WALES SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ALLIANCE (MWSEA)

This newly formed Alliance has been formed in order to:
1. Provide a voice / lobbying function
2. Demonstrate the worth of Social Enterprise in Powys
3. Provide networking, information sharing / exchange
4. Promote trading opportunities for and between social enterprises 
5. Provide Signposting
6. Promote and support business sustainability

Quarterly meetings are held at a different host Social Enterprise, with them holding the post of Chair.  PAVO provides co-ordination support to the Alliance.  The first meeting held in March, was productive, with members present already identifying how they can support each other.  You can also follow MWSEA on Facebook between meetings: MidWalesSocialEnterpriseAlliance.

The next meeting will be held on Monday 24^th June 2013 at 10.30am.  We will be looking at marketing and mentoring.

If you wish to join the Alliance, please contact Claire Sterry on 01597 822191.  We are also looking for a social enterprise in Llandrindod Wells to host the meeting.  Please get in touch if you would like to do this.