UnLtd announces City of Culture Awards for Social Entrepreneurs

Press release For Immediate release 1/11/12

UnLtd announces City of Culture Awards for Social Entrepreneurs

The Apprentice meets City of Culture 2013 in a new high-profile competition to find 13 lucky young entrepreneurs in the North West. Culture Company is teaming up with UnLtd, the foundation for social entrepreneurs, to find a group of 13 remarkable people with the vision to use Derry-Londonderry’s year as the UK City of Culture as a launch pad for a venture which will have an enduring impact on their local community. UnLtd will be there to help the 13 successful individuals, aged 16 and over, realize their dream with both practical advice and financial support in each case of up to £5,000. The award winners will be people who are passionate about creating positive change in their communities and who have practical ideas about that that can be realised, built on the cultural, artistic or hospitality opportunities provided by the City of Culture in and around Derry-Londonderry. Kate Braithwaite, Operations Director with UnLtd, who visited the city to launch the event on Thursday 1st November said: “We are looking for people aged 16 or over who are resident in the North West of Northern Ireland. “They will each have a clear idea of how they might use the City of Culture opportunity to progress an entrepreneurial venture which has significant social benefit for their community.” City of Culture chief executive Shona McCarthy said: “This is another great opportunity for people from the city to shine through 2013. “It is the year of creative thinking and new ideas, entrepreneurialism and business start-up. We are delighted that UnLtd has also recognised that this is the time to support innovation in local people.” If you believe you can use the City of Culture opportunity to make a lasting change in communities please register your interest by filling in a short online form by 30th November on the UnLtd website www.unltd.org.uk by following the directions for City of Culture Awards.

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Notes to Editors: Entries to the competition must be made by individuals who are not applying on behalf of an already active group. The awards cannot be used to fund political campaigning or for the advancement of religion. The awards must not be used to employ others to undertake the bulk of the business activity. The awards open from 1st November for a period of four weeks. All applicants will hear the outcome within two weeks of the closing date. Award Winners will be invited to a celebratory event in the City.