| Inaugural Southern Africa Social Entrepreneurship Awards |
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From Friday, 20 March 2009
To Saturday, 21 March 2009
Every day |
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Inaugural Southern Africa Social Entrepreneurship Awards
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON 20 MARCH 2009
Our aim is to recognize individuals and organisations creating exceptional social value” Kojo Parris CSE@GIBS
The field of development especially in Southern Africa has a history of strong donor dependence that has forced a shift away from local community needs as drivers of social change. In the last 20 years there has been a demonstrated move away from this tradition towards a search for sustainability. The debates that fuelled this move have challenged civil society and presented alternatives that have shaken the very core of the sector.
Social Entrepreneurs are visionary individuals who are motivated to evoke social change in a sustainable way. Though they recognise the gaps in service delivery and are constantly innovating solutions to developmental challenges, they are also seeking ways in which to make these projects viable and independent of donor funding. The recent advent at GIBS of the Colloquim for Social Entrepreneurship (CSE) has brought the attention of corporate South Africa to social entrepreneurship. It has become clear that there is a definite link that both entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs are actively engaging through the programmes of the CSE. These synergies are embraced and showcased by the CSE@GIBS/Ashoka partnership. Ashoka Innovators for the Public provides venture capital funding for these social entrepreneurs for a period of three years. In conjunction with this Ashoka links Southern African Social Entrepreneurs with an international network of similar individuals in 60 countries across the globe. Ashoka Southern Africa has existed in the region for 16 years and has in that time identified and supported 120 social entrepreneurs across all developmental sectors.
It is often said that Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Ghandi were the forerunners in terms of social entrepreneurship in the world. The fact that they both worked in South Africa is remarkable but not surprising. Often social entrepreneurs in the region are the exceptions rather than the rule in the region and tend to be forward thinking individuals who are motivated by a burning social issue. More recent advents in the social entrepreneurship field are equally strong in their commitments to social change and community benefit.
The work of these amazing individuals reflects strategies and innovations that if reflected on and replicated would revolutionise conventional thinking around development. It was with this in mind that the concept of the SASE Awards were founded.
The SASE™ Awards intends to:
• Celebrate and recognise models of excellence in the field
• Present innovative alternatives to traditional developmental practices
• Establish alternative non donor generated income streams for development visionaries
• Focus investment on sustainable innovative development projects
Inaugural SASE™ Awards Event
The Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) in partnership with the African Leadership Initiative has agreed that the SASE™ Awards could be held as part of their Promise of Leadership Conference in March 2009. This is a highly regarded international event which celebrates Nelson Mandela’s Leadership legacy and provides a platform for debate and possible solutions for challenging social issues on the continent. Participants include political and social leadership from across the continent including leading academic and internationally renowned political leaders.
It was fitting to associate the SASE™ Awards with the Promise of Leadership Conference as the concept of fostering innovation in the social sector is a recurrent theme. In addition this occasion allows for an audience that is receptive and understanding of the need for sustainability and innovation to address development challenges on the continent. Further the attention of policy makers and significant decision makers will be brought to bear on the awards and the social entrepreneurs themselves creating the necessary access required for replication of projects.
4 Categories of Excellence in Social Entrepreneurship
1. Youth Social Entrepreneur
2. Women Social Entrepreneur
3. Emerging Social Entrepreneur
4. Pinnacle Award
Key Criteria
- Transformative social impact
- (Potentially) Sustainable operational model
- Replicable enterprise model
- Clear path to financial sustainability
Prizes:
Prizes include cash awards, mentoring and networking opportunities; introductions to other Entrepreneurs/ Social Entrepreneurs and various other sources of support including linkages to Corporate volunteers.
SASE Social Entrepreneurship exhibition
In celebrating Social Entrepreneurship, SASE™ will incorporate an exhibition of all awards applicants, finalists, winners and other nominated social entrepreneurs. The exhibition will provide a vital opportunity for Social entrepreneurs to be showcased to a larger, influential audience, to network, to find partners in other countries and to establish potential investment relationships / links with resource providers.
It is proposed that the exhibition runs concurrently with the conference day featuring SE content. Social entrepreneurs and conference delegates will be able to network between conference sessions.
The day’s discussions on social entrepreneurship will flow seamlessly into the early evening cocktail event and awards ceremony.
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