The Wise Group and CEiS have emerged as award winners of the prestigious UK wide, Enterprising Solutions, Social Enterprise of the Year, 2008.  The awards reflect the fact that Scotland is one of the best countries in the world to be a social enterprise business and the continued reputation of Scottish social enterprises and showing how the social enterprise sector in Scotland is making a big impact in the UK.

We both received a prize of £5,000 to provide further support for the people and projects that we work with.

Laurie Russell, our Chief Executive said:  ''''Winning a UK award is a fantastic recognition of the ability of the Wise Group and CEiS to develop over 25 years into leading players in a growing sector.  The concept of social enterprise is one that fits both the enterprising side of the Scottish character and our social valus and social conscience.''''

Gerry Higgins, Chief Executive of CEiS, said:  “CEiS is delighted to be a winner in the face of intense competition from hundreds of social enterprises throughout the UK.  This result reflects the dedication and commitment of the staff and supporters of CEiS and the Wise Group to assist individuals, enterprises and communities throughout Scotland to realise their potential.”

The two organisations were two of twelve organisations shortlisted for the prestigious UK wide Best Social Enterprise Award and were in line to win up to £10,000.  Winners were announced in Central London on Monday evening.  The UK wide Enterprising Solutions Awards are sponsored by The Office of the Third Sector, RBS and Natwest, and hosted by the Social Enterprise Coalition.  They recognise and celebrate the UK’s best and most innovative social enterprises, businesses set up to tackle a social or environmental need. They are entrepreneurial, sustainable and are focussed on social change.

Social enterprises are dynamic businesses with a social purpose meaning that they have social aims and trade in competitive markets.  Many social enterprises put people at the heart of everything they do and place a social value on all activities with surpluses being reinvested rather than distributed to shareholders.   The Scottish Government has invested in social enterprise through its Action Plan for an Enterprising Third Sector which includes a £30m Scottish Investment Fund and a bespoke business support programme “Aspire to Enterprise”.

Long term unemployed people can find it harder to get back to work.  We will be using our winner''s cheque to provide further support for those people recently starting work who had been out of work for more than five years.  An investment fund will help with the transition from benefits for people setting up their own business, help people gain access to skills and personal development, and provide guidance and career development for those moving into work.

CEiS was established in 1984 and was an original pioneer of community business development.  In the last 24 years it has maintained an edge as an innovative, respected development agency.  The CEiS Enterprise Support Service is the largest and most experienced service in the UK, supporting over 90 social enterprises annually with services ranging from feasibility studies to crisis management.  Its subsidiary DSL, lends £1.5m annually to social enterprises, sole traders and small businesses in disadvantaged communities.

Jonathan Bland, Chief Executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition said:  “CEiS and the Wise Group are two extraordinary social enterprises with long track records of success after success.  Social enterprise is about sustainable businesses harnessing the power of the market for the benefit of communities and individuals, and these businesses demonstrates the vital work being carried out by social enterprises across the UK.”