all credits: New Start Publishing Ltd
May 2010

A new urban regeneration initiative is aiming to encourage and reward entrepreneurs with a ‘business head and a social heart’.

The makers of Guinness are behind a UK-wide social entrepreneurship programme inviting people aged between 25 and 35 to enter the Bring It To Life Awards, which offer support, skills, and funding to create positive social ventures. Initiatives need to be either new or a new way of delivering an existing idea, incorporating social and/or environmental aims.

Those who need running costs to get their idea off the ground can apply for ‘catalyst awards’, each worth up to £2,200, are available for those, while ‘development awards’ of up to £15,000 can be accessed by established social entrepreneurs to help get ventures fully operational.

Successful applicants will receive a package of development, funding, training and volunteer support through youth charity Rathbone, social entrepreneur support provider UnLtd and drinks brand Diageo.

The awards are part of the Arthur Guinness Fund which is donating €6m to programmes and projects around the world that enable and empower people to benefit their community.

Victoria Anderson, UnLtd’s director of programmes, said: ‘At a time of great economic and social pressure, we need social entrepreneurs and volunteers more than ever.’

The deadline for entries is 23 July.