Fundación ONCE launches the 2nd European Award for Social Entrepreneurship and Disability: Promoting Social Investment
http://www.csr-d.eu/en/fundacion-once-launches-the-2nd-european-award-for-social...
Thu, 20/11/2014
Fundación ONCE, in the framework of the European Network of Corporate Social Responsibility and Disability, co-financed by the European Social Fund, launches the 2nd European Award for Social Entrepreneurship and Disability: Promoting Social Investment. This pioneering initiative in Europe sets out to publically acknowledge projects of social entrepreneurship in the field of disability, as well as innovative projects developed by entrepreneurs with disabilities.
In Europe, people with disabilities represent 16% of the population and a major source of talent. Further, together with their families they constitute a large consumer sector that generates new business opportunities associated with the present and future social challenges affecting an ageing Europe that needs to reinforce employment and social inclusion, among other major objectives. Likewise, innovation and social entrepreneurship are key concepts in the European model of economic growth promoted by initiatives such as the Social Business Initiative or the Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, in which the figure of the social entrepreneur is becoming increasingly important.
For the second year running, the European Award for Social Entrepreneurship and Disability has the backing of the European Commission and the support of L’Oréal (FR), Telefónica (ES) and the Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali (IT), – the three founding partners of the CSR+D Network together with Fundación ONCE -, and Fundación Triodos (ES), Kanchi (IRL) and Essl Foundation (AUS). In addition, two important organizations are incorporated this year: the European Disability Forum, the Brussels-based platform that represents disability throughout Europe, and EIDD-Design for All Europe (IRL). All of these participating organizations will form part of the jury that assesses the projects submitted.
The prize to the winning project in this initiative led by Fundación ONCE has been increased, in this 2nd edition representing 11,000 euros before tax, a sum co-financed by the Fundación, L’Oréal, Fundación Triodos and EiDD.
The candidatures can be submitted from 28 October to 12 December via http://www.csr-d.eu/en/social-entrepreneurship-and-disability-award/, where you’ll find the conditions of entry and application forms.
The winning project and the jury’s special mention, featured once again this year, will be posted on the CSR+D network website and on the Twitter profile of the CSR+D network (@csrd_eu) marked with the hashtag #SEDAward.
The winning project will receive its prize at the awards ceremony, which will be held in 2015.
About the 1st European SE+D Award
The 1st European Award for Social Entrepreneurship and Disability was announced in October 2013, with a high level of participation. Altogether, 44 candidatures presented from 12 European Union countries were evaluated by the jury, and the winner was Career Moves by Austrian entrepreneur Gregor Demblin. The Wheelmap Education Programme by German entrepreneur Raúl Aguayo-Krauthausen received the jury’s Highly Commended prize.
The awards ceremony was held during the Social Entrepreneurs: Have your Say conference which took place in Strasburg (France) on 16 and 17 January, chaired by the current Acting Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission, László Andor, and the Executive Vice President of Fundación ONCE, Alberto Durán.
Examples of projects presented to the 1st European SE+D Award are documented in Best Practices from the Award’s 1st Edition, a publication that presents seven cases of good practice, including the winning project, the Highly Commended project, and other highly rated initiatives: http://www.csr-d.eu/en/csrd-outcomes/
More info: Fundación ONCE
