Social entrepreneurs now have the chance to win big at the Social Enterprise Awards.

The eight categories for the 2016 Social Enterprise Awards are: Social Enterprise of the Year (Small), Social Enterprise of the Year (Large), One to Watch Award, Social Enterprise Innovation Award, Capital for Impact, Buy Social Award, Social Enterprise Champion and Women’s Impact Award.

In partnership with The Ākina Foundation, New Zealand’s social enterprise development organisation, the eight category winners will have the opportunity to attend and participate at the Social Enterprise World Forum hosted in Christchurch New Zealand in September 2017.

The Social Enterprise Awards is a national event, created and produced by Social Traders.

An Advisory Panel has been established to assist with the conduct of the Awards. This includes representatives from the School of Social Entrepreneurs, Social Ventures Australia, The Difference Incubator, Thankyou Group, Community Business Bureau Inc, Generosity Magazine, Queensland Council for Social Enterprise and Social Enterprise Finance Australia (SEFA).

“The Social Enterprise Awards showcase some of the best and brightest of Australian business. Through recognising excellence and best practice, the Awards celebrate the positive social impact made by social enterprise, while also acknowledging business innovation and the contribution this makes to a diverse Australian economy,” said David Brookes Managing Director Social Traders.

“By recognising excellence and best practice, the Social Enterprise Awards provides a platform to raise the visibility of the growing Australian social enterprise sector.

“Through this recognition, we are able to acknowledge the innovative business approaches social enterprise can provide to create sustained economic and social impact.”

The Social Enterprise Awards have been taking place for the last four years. This years awards will be held in Melbourne in late November.

See here for more information.