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Social Enterprise Annual Business Awards 2009

WINNERS of a competition to find out which of Fife's social enterprises have the best business idea were announced on 18 March as part of the annual Fife Social Enterprise Day and Business Awards. The event, held in the Atrium at Adam Smith College, Kirkcaldy, was the second awards event run by The Fife Social Economy Partnership in partnership with the Scottish Government.

Four finalists in each of two categories were invited to present their ideas to a Dragon's Den-style panel in the morning with final winners announced at the awards ceremony taking place in the afternoon.

Levenmouth based Kinetic Media won the "new social enterprises (trading less than two years)" category for its provision of media production and range of formal training programmes for local young people allowing them to compete in the labour market as skilled employees. The first prize of £1,000 will help the company continue this work. Taking the runners up prize of £500 in this category was Bikeworks, a company staffed wholly by volunteers which is involved in recycling or refurbishing bicycles donated by the public and Council to sell at affordable prices to the less affluent in our community. The company also offer training to people with disabilities and to the long-term unemployed and said that the additional funding will allow them to expand their work.

The winner of the "established social enterprises (trading two years or more)" category was Kingdom Credit Union with their idea to introduce a new prepaid debit card which customers can pre-load their credit union loans or benefits onto. The majority of people on benefits currently have no access to debit card services so have to deal in cash which adds to financial exclusion. The card will normally cost customers £5.00, but the £1000 first prize will enable 200 people to receive this card at no cost. Runners up for this category were Green Door Catering Co. who offer local communities and individuals in Fife access to healthy food choices and awareness of healthy living choices through their cafes, catering and community work. Their prize of £500 will be used to continue the work of the company which is currently setting up new premises at the brand new Evans Easyspace Business Centre in the John Smith Business Park.

Alison Brown, Lead Officer, Economic Regeneration & Partnerships for Fife Council's Development Services, said: "This type of event offers a great opportunity for Social Enterprises in Fife to promote themselves. It also lets us raise awareness of the diverse and vibrant social enterprise sector here in Fife."

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