The 8th Annual SAB Foundation Social Innovation Awards and 3rd annual Disability Empowerment Awards are now open for entry and eligible entrepreneurs and businesses are encouraged to enter.
The awards carry total prize money of up to R10 million with a first prize of up to R1.3 million.
The Social Innovation Awards are aimed at innovators, social entrepreneurs, institutions and social enterprises with prototypes or early-stage businesses that can solve social problems. These products, services, business models and processes should directly address the challenges faced by low-income women, youth, people living with disabilities, and people living in rural areas.
The Disability Empowerment Awards seek and award social enterprises, which have come up with innovative solutions which improve access to the economy, and/or solutions for disabled people, while generating enough revenue to become sustainable over time. People with disabilities are some of the most marginalised members of society with an estimated 70% unemployment rate.
Online applications opened on 15 March 2018 and close on 23 April 2018 at midday. Applications can be completed by visiting the SAB Foundation website (www.sabfoundation.co.za).
“In the past seven years of the Social Innovation Awards, we have been impressed with the quality and calibre of ideas and businesses that we have been presented with, over many fields and industries, including health, education, water, energy, rural livelihoods, community cohesion and more.
“We hope to see many more applicants entering this year, so we can help take their ideas to the next level,” commented Ntandokazi Nodada, Social Innovation Specialist at the SAB Foundation.
Prizes awarded range from between R150 000 and R1.3 million and are used as an investment in the innovation. In addition to the prize money, the winners will also be assessed on a case-by-case basis and placed in a tailored programme with a specially selected business mentor as well as a technical expert.
The programme is flexible and is adjusted to the needs of each winner, as mutually agreed upon by both the winner and their mentor.
To date, the programme has invested in 114 social entrepreneurs and their innovations with a total investment of over R44 million. This group has seen a turnover increase of 245% and job growth of 167%.
Previous award-winning innovations have improved efficiency and affordability in housing, healthcare, smallholder farming techniques, education, medical diagnostics, waste disposal, township security, fire prevention and support for people with disabilities.
“Through the SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards we’ve had the opportunity to work with incredible entrepreneurs who create real, lasting change in their communities firstly, but hopefully eventually across South Africa and beyond.
“It is our hope that many of these innovations move from the fringes of Society to become mainstream solutions to social challenges. We’re excited to see the entries for 2018 and believe that this year will bring about even bigger, positive changes in South Africa,” believes Bridgit Evans, Director of the SAB Foundation.
To apply, go to www.sabfoundation.co.za and follow the relevant instructions.
Source: RNEWS
