Sandwell Council, UnLtd and YMCA Black Country Group have joined forces to offer an award to support an innovative social entrepreneur living and working in Sandwell.

The YMCA Black Country Group is a local YMCA charity which primarily operates across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. It delivers a wide range of youth and community services, including accommodation, family work, health and well-being, training and education, and support and advice.

UnLtd is the leading provider of support to social entrepreneurs in the UK. It invests directly in individuals and offers a complete package of resources, from awards of funding to ongoing advice, networking and practical support.

The award on offer is called the ‘Sandwell Social Entrepreneur Programme: West Bromwich’ and it combines £2,500 towards business costs and a one-year lease on a new incubator unit at the YMCA building in West Bromwich.

The team are looking for an individual who wants to develop a venture addressing social issues in Sandwell, or an individual or new enterprise to support other social entrepreneurs, or a combination of both.

The aim of the award is to support an innovative social entrepreneur who is trying to transform their community through a social enterprise. The award winner must demonstrate an innovative approach to delivering services to residents across Sandwell.

The award winner will be someone who:

• is passionate about improving their community and gaining skills for themselves
• lives, works, volunteers or has a business in Sandwell
• knows their local area, the challenges it faces and the opportunities
• has a great idea that will be of benefit to their community.

Sandwell Council, UnLtd and YMCA Black Country Group will work together with the award winner to create a hub which makes money, grows social impact and supports other social entrepreneurial activity in Sandwell.

The Sandwell Social Entrepreneur Programme offers the winner:

• Personal support: 1-to-1 support to help develop ideas, understand budgets and gain skills
• Networking: the opportunity to connect with others, including partners who bring expertise, knowledge and skills to help develop an idea further
• Resources: a one-year license on an incubator unit and a cash award of £2,500.
To apply for the award please request an application form by emailing emile_lafon@sandwell.gov.uk. The closing date for completed applications is Monday 6 June. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present their ideas to a panel at a pitching event on Tuesday 14 June.

If you are interested in setting up a social enterprise why not attend a ‘How to set up a social enterprise’ workshop being delivered by UnLtd in partnership with Sandwell Council on Tuesday 17 May? Visit our event page for more details.
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