The awards are a unique opportunity for all social enterprises across the country to stand up and be counted and to celebrate their achievements.

Social enterprises like The Big Issue, Social Bite, The Wise Group and Kibble, profit society. The business community includes enterprising charities, co-operatives, housing associations, credit unions, Community Interest Companies (CICs) and many others.

The awards help raise the profile of social enterprise organisations and market individual winners, they recognise successes and business innovation, give a boost to those who may feel undervalued and give a sense of solidarity for our broad community. The awards celebrate social enterprises and give them a break from the challenging day job, allowing them to take a step back and appreciate their achievements.

Audrey Carlin of Wasps Studios, winners of Social Enterprise of the Year 2014, said: “It was fantastic for Wasps to win Social Enterprise of the Year last time. The recognition the award has given Wasps on a national level has been incredible and has opened new doors for us. We’d urge all eligible organisations to put themselves forward for the awards this year.”

The awards are particularly seeking entries from social enterprises who haven’t entered before, those who don’t perhaps identify as a social enterprise, are taking tentative steps away from a traditional charity model or aren’t even aware that they are a social enterprise.

Craig Sanderson of social housing provider, Link Group, also a previous winner, said: “Since Link was formed in 1962 it has, in effect, been a social enterprise - having delivered not only its core activity of providing homes but also supporting people and regenerating and reinvesting in communities. We’ve been honoured many times but are particularly proud of these awards as they recognise our social impact plus our entrepreneurial approach. We very much identify as a social enterprise.”

Apply for the 2015 awards today.

@SocEntScot