The University of Ulster is supporting this year's Social Enterprise Awards – a national competition that will find and reward the UK's best social enterprises.  

Applications are now open for the Northern Ireland heat in the following categories:

best Social Enterprise Leader - sponsored by the University of Ulsterbest Social Enterprise of the Year – sponsored by Charity Bankbest Start-up Social Enterprise – sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland

Calling on local businesses to apply for one of the award categories, Kerry Patterson of the University's Office of Innovation said: 

"As part of the University's role in supporting the growth and development of businesses, we play an active role in bringing expertise to social enterprises across Northern Ireland.

"We are delighted with this opportunity to partner with the Social Economy Network to sponsor the Award for the Best Social Enterprise Leader."  

The winners of the NI heat will be announced at a Presentation Dinner on 24 February 2011 and will go on to compete for the UK titles against England, Scotland and Wales. The UK winners will be decided by a panel of expert judges and will be announced at a ceremony on the 30 March 2011 at the O2 Arena in London.

In Northern Ireland only, there are two additional award categories: 

best Partnership Working Social Enterprise sponsored by the Social Economy Networkbest Exporting Social Enterprise sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland

 ENDS

  Click here to download the application form