President Tony Tan today launched the second run of the President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award (PCSEA) at the Social Enterprise Carnival @ DBS Marina Regatta. Established last year, PCSEA recognises outstanding and innovative social enterprises that are making significant social impact in Singapore.
“The people behind social enterprises have invested much of their energy, capability and other resources in advancing social causes. The President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award is a way to recognise them and to encourage more to come on board. I was very heartened with the encouraging start last year. I look forward to seeing even more social enterprises stepping forward to apply for the Award this time around,” said President Tony Tan.
Greater Opportunities in the 2013 PCSEA
The 2013 PCSEA goes beyond recognising social enterprises’ contributions to the community. It will also provide development opportunities for participants, through corporate advisory support by industry leaders, on top of the cash awards of up to $15,000.
The PCSEA Award Committee, which comprises leaders from the private sector and academia, will be assessing applications for the award and conducting extended site visits to shortlisted applicants. They will also help both budding and established social enterprises think critically about their business models and the impact they have on society. Based on past experience, shortlisted applicants have found such on-site interaction encouraging and useful.
The 2013 PCSEA will also partner corporations to further nurture social enterprises through corporate advisory in areas such as business, marketing, law and financing. Participating corporate organisations will work closely with PCSEA Award winners to refine their businesses and further develop their capabilities, so as to build a more robust social enterprise sector.
To date, five corporate partners with a passion for promoting social entrepreneurship – Bain and Company, Pro Bono Services Office of The Law Society of Singapore, the Keppel Group, Philosophy Brand Consultants and DBS Bank – have joined this initiative, and MSF is looking forward to more companies coming on board.
Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Mr Chan Chun Sing said, “It is encouraging to see a few corporations extending advice and support to social enterprises in developing their capability. I hope that more organisations from even more sectors will come forward to collaborate with social enterprises and raise the sector to greater heights.”
Mr Noel Hon, Chairman of the 2013 PCSEA Awards Committee, who is also Chairman of e-Cop Pte Ltd said, “It is our mission to help grow social enterprises. By creating a corporate advisory support platform, social enterprises will have opportunities to learn from these private sector organizations in terms of their business insights, knowledge and know-how. It will also help social enterprises to develop a network of contacts.”
Applications for the 2013 PCSEA are now open, and will end on 31 July 2013. The awards ceremony will be held in December.
