The search is on to find a candidate to represent Scotland in this year’s Enterprising Britain Competition and Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have again been asked to undertake the selection process.

This year, the competition has been considerably simplified with candidates only required to submit a three-page summary of their project (together with any supporting material). In essence, the Judging Panels (both Regional and National) are looking for a good story about an exciting enterprising project in your area.

Last year, Scotland was represented by West Lothian and, while they did not win, the entry was highly commended by the judges. The eventual winner was Sherwood Energy Village in Ollerton – a development project site based on the site of a former colliery. Basically, no project is too big or too small to be considered.

What is Enterprising Britain 2006?

Enterprising Britain is a nationwide competition to find the most enterprising place in the UK - the town, city, place or area in the country that is best at improving economic prospects and encouraging enterprise. Run by the Small Business Service at the Department of Trade and Industry, in conjunction with the regional development agencies and the devolved administrations, the competition aims to celebrate enterprise achievement and champion best practice in entrepreneurial activities, policy making and implementation.

The competition aims to:

• Identify and recognise successful activities and initiatives undertaken to promote enterprise and entrepreneurship;
• Showcase and share examples of best practice in enterprise, and entrepreneurship policy and implementation;
• Create a higher awareness of the importance of enterprise and entrepreneurship in society;
• Encourage and inspire enterprising behaviour and potential entrepreneurs;
• Identify the UK entry to the European Enterprise 2006 Awards.

How will Enterprising Britain 2006 work?

Enterprising Britain 2006 will have two distinct stages:

1. A regional competition managed by the regional development agency (RDAs) and devolved administrations.

2. A national competition managed by the Small Business Service – with the winner being entered into the inaugural European Enterprise Awards competition.

Each RDA and devolved administration has been asked to run a competition to select an Enterprising Britain 2006 regional winner between 30th January 2006 and 31st May 2006.

Timing

• 30 January 2006 - national and regional launch of Enterprising Britain
• 31 May 2006 - regional winners nominated and sent to SBS
• 19 June – 28 July 2006 - regional visits by judges
• Early September 2006 - national judging takes place
• Early September 2006 - national winner of Enterprising Britain announced at awards dinner
• 15 September 2006 - UK entry nominated for European Enterprise Awards
• Mid-November 2006 - European Enterprise Awards

Judging criteria

Candidates must be able to show how they have affected a significant and positive change in their approach towards supporting and promoting enterprise in the last two years. There must be a clear focus on enterprise, with a specific desire to promote enterprise over and above other objectives.

The application must include a description of the project that tells the story of what has been achieved within this period and brings to life the transformation that has occurred. Applications will need to provide an insight into the enterprise success and the strategy behind it. For example, by explaining:

• How the project meets the needs of the local community;
• How it fits with the broader regional economic development strategy;
• How the candidate ensures sustainability in the longer term.

They will also need to provide an account of how the place has:

• Responded to the challenges of promoting enterprise;
• Formed partnerships and policies to tackle those challenges;
• Ensured that its actions have had a positive impact as a result.

Candidates will be expected to show how the project has helped transform or regenerate the area. For example, with:

• Local investment or other action to promote enterprise;
• Innovative approaches to business support;
• Steps to help existing businesses with growth potential;
• Plans to attract new investment and new businesses;
• Measures to enhance the links between educational establishments and businesses;
• Activities to promote enterprise in deprived parts of the local community;
• Initiatives to improve enterprise skills;
• Initiatives which attract new groups into enterprise (for example, young people, women, or people from black or ethnic minority groups);
• Initiatives which have a strong focus on social enterprise or social responsibility.

Emphasis should be given to those candidates who can demonstrate innovative thinking in their overall approach.

Finally, the application should demonstrate the innovative nature and inspirational value of the project – both for the Enterprising Britain competition and for the enterprise message overall (i.e. the winner of Enterprising Britain will be a good role model for others).

The Scottish selection process is being administered on behalf of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise by First Scotia Ventures Limited.

If you require further information or a nomination pack (available from 1 February, 2006) please contact Dennis Oxby by email at EntBritScot.2006@btconnect.com or telephone 01360 771444.