Social entrepreneurs sought for award

UnLtd is a charity that supports “social entrepreneurs”, offering a variety of support and sometimes funding.

It recently launched the UnLtd Engage awards programme. Applications close on the 30th of September 2010, and you must be located in England or Wales.

Nesta (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) is already operating a similar programme called Age Unlimited in Scotland, which will re-open for new applications in 2011.

Here are some details of the UnLtd Engage awards programme in case it fits in with your plans. The money on offer may not be large, but the networking opportunities could be very valuable if you want to make headway in the world of the “social entrepreneur”. See UnLtd’s Facebook page facebook.com/UnLtd for more of a flavour of what they do.

UnLtd Engage

UnLtd and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation have teamed up to encourage individuals to bring about positive change in our attitudes and approaches to getting older and to create solutions that will make a lasting difference to our ageing population.

What is available?

30 Start-Up Awards are available of up to £2,500 to get your idea off the ground.

3 Development Awards of up to £15,000 will also be offered to 3 UnLtd Engage Award Winners to grow and replicate their ideas.

What are we looking for?

Do you have an idea that could improve the social issues faced by older people in your community that falls within one or more of these themes?
* Inspiring self-belief and wellbeing (including ageing well, health & safety and keeping active)
* Making the most of opportunities (including planning for change, work and volunteering)
* Valuing shared wisdom and experience (including reducing isolation and building positive perceptions and relationships)

Your project must not:
Be part of your paid employment
Involve political or religious campaigning
Involve activities outside the law or against public policy, or anything that encourages ethnic, religious or commercial disharmony
Involve employing people other than yourself to carry out most of the project work
Be used mainly to achieve academic qualifications
Be used to fund living expenses

Who can apply?
We are looking particularly for applications from individuals or informal groups who are aged over 50 from England & Wales and have the passion and ideas to create social change.

How do I find out more?

Go to the Engage Awards page on the UnLtd web site.
If you need more information on the Awards programme, please call 0845 850 1122 and ask to speak to a member of the UnLtd Engage team in your area or email annabelsampson@unltd.org.uk