2 October 2008

Acumen Development Trust shortlisted for the prestigious Enterprising Solutions Awards (ESA)

Acumen Development Trust has been shortlisted for Best Social Enterprise in the Enterprising Solutions Awards (ESA), now in their tenth year.  The awards are designed to find and reward the UK’s most dynamic and innovative social enterprises - businesses that are set up to tackle a social or environmental need.

Twenty-one social enterprises from across the UK have been shortlisted for three categories: Best Social Enterprise, Best New Social Enterprise and for the first time, Best Social Enterprise in Schools.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 20. A full list of nominees is available at http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/pages/esa.html.

First place will win a cash prize of £10,000. Three other finalists and the winner of the New Social Enterprise Award will receive £5,000 each. The winner of the newest category, Social Enterprise in Schools Award, will receive £1,000.

Chief executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition Jonathan Bland said: Chief Executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition Jonathan Bland said: “These awards are instrumental in showcasing and rewarding the impact of social enterprise in the UK. In our tenth year, the range and strength of the shortlist is particularly strong, and we are really pleased that this year includes the Social Enterprise in Schools award, which we hope will inspire the next generation of socially conscious entrepreneurs.

“Social enterprise is about sustainable businesses harnessing the power of the market for the benefit of communities and individuals, and each of these businesses demonstrates the vital work being carried out by social enterprises across the UK.”