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