European Enterprise Promotion Shortlist Announced 2015

Hundreds of projects competed in the 2015 national competitions for a chance to represent their country in the European Enterprise Promotion Awards; 19 projects have now been shortlisted. A record number of 32 countries entered the Awards this year with the most popular category being “Promoting the Entrepreneurial Spirit”.

This year’s jury was made up of members of the outgoing Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the current Luxembourg Presidency along with representatives from the European Commission, the Committee of the Regions, business, and academia. Following much deliberation, the jury established a shortlist of 19 nominees in six categories. The winners for each of the categories will be announced at a central event of European SME Week, the SME Assembly in Luxembourg, to which all nominees will be invited. The prestigious Grand Jury Prize winner and special mentions will also be announced at the European Enterprise Promotion Awards ceremony.

Category 1: Promoting the Entrepreneurial Spirit

France: Youth Awareness Week for Female Entrepreneurship sees female entrepreneurs go into schools over the course of the week and put on presentations, talks or forums for young people aged 13–25 about female entrepreneurship and how women can start businesses and find success. The initiative aims to increase  young  people’s  awareness  of  female entrepreneurship,  and  how  women  can  start businesses and find success. Over the past three years 816 woman entrepreneurs, 18,000 young participants and more than 250 educational establishments – colleges, secondary schools and higher education institutions – have been involved.  

Responsible organisation: The 100,000 Entrepreneurs Association

Organisation website: http://www.semaine-entrepreneuriat-feminin.com/

Netherlands: ZomerOndernemer allows young people to start their own companies and experience entrepreneurship during their summer holidays. By turning young people into proud business owners, the initiative helps them develop crucial skills as well as stimulate the spirit of entrepreneurship. Launched in 2010, the project has already attracted 265 young people and helped produce 82 companies.

Responsible organisation: The New Entrepreneur Foundation

Organisation website: http://stichtingonehoogeveen.nl/

United Kingdom: The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank supports the development of an entrepreneurial culture within the City of Hull by engaging young people from the age of 5, allowing them to gain “soft skills” and entrepreneurial experience. The initiative raises awareness of the self-employed option as a pathway post education. It has supported over 350 young people interested in business from across Hull and the East Riding area.

Responsible organisation: Hull City Council

Organisation website: www.youthenterprise.co.uk

Enterprising Britain 2015 - Winners

The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank (JCYEB), which gives grants and access to mentors for enterprising young people aged 13 to 21, as well as sponsoring a wide range of enterprise projects in the city, has gained a another national award. It has been recognised by the Department of Business Innovation Skills, who sponsor Enterprising Britain Awards, and has won one of their four categories - Building Enterprise Skills.(In 2014 it was awarded the NatWest Special Merit Award for championing enterprise at the GB Entrepreneurs Awards) In order to win this category the JCYEB had to show how they have affected a significant and positive change in their approach towards supporting and promoting enterprise in the last two years.

On November 2nd they will be granted their award at a reception in the House of Commons with Government Ministers and has been nominated as one of the UK's two entrants in the European Enterprise Promotion Awards that will be decided at the European SME Assembly in Luxembourg in November.

The JCYEB has supported the following types of start ups including a sea food processing business, web site developers, photographers, beauticians, gardeners, hairdressers, cycle repairs, stationery printers, chocolate makers, bespoke tailoring , hair dressers, on-line music lessons, dress makers, paint & decorators, up-cycled clothing, hand made mascots, jewellery maker, personalised mugs & tees, and a digital games business.

To-date 40% of recipients of grants from JCYEB are from East Hull, 35% of recipients are from West Hull, 20% of recipients are from North Hull and 5% of recipients are from East Riding. 25% of recipients are aged 13-16 years of age, 25% of recipients are aged 16-18 years of age and 50% of recipients are aged 18-21 years of age. The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank also contributes to the youth enterprise ecosystem in the area by sponsoring Global Entrepreneurship Week, the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge, the £5 Blossom Programme as well as the Be Enterprise Group of teachers and tutors.

Maureen Foers OBE Chair John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank said:

"The management committee of the JCYEB are absolutely delighted that its work has been recognised in this years Enterprising Britain Competition, over the last few years we have received recognition by a number of organisations but this has to be the highlight as we can now go on to outline to colleagues in Europe about what we do"

"We have come along way over the last 12 years supporting so many enterprising young people and supporting such great enterprise related projects in the city such as Global Entrepreneurship Week, Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge and the Be Enterprising Group of teachers in the City"

Councillor Martin Mancey said:

"This is fantastic news for Hull and the Humber Region. Hull is well on its way to forging a strong international reputation as a centre of excellence for supporting its enterprising young people."

“This award reflects Hull's growing stature in showing the way to the rest of the country in developing a youth enterprise ecosystem from primary schools through to Post 16 and supporting young entrepreneurs"

Linda McAvan MEP said:

“It's great that the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, that acts as a catalyst for the city's youth enterprise agenda, has received the acolyte as Britain's project that reflects Britain's entrepreneurial spirit. I was delighted to endorse their bid and wish them well in the European Enterprise Promotion Finals in Global Entrepreneurship Week and look forward to catching up with them soon"

Diana Johnson MP said:

"Like Linda I was delighted to support their bid, I know from my constituents how successful JCYEB has been in supporting the city's enterprising young people, the work they are doing is making an invaluable contribution in ensuring that our young people in schools and colleges are enterprising- I look forward to catching up with them at the awards celebration in the House of Commons"

Claire Young Patron JCYEB said:

"I would like to thank all our sponsors and supporters, in particular KC and the young entrepreneurs who have kept the faith with what we are doing, but most of all Hull City Council for its ongoing support and of course Hull's enterprising young people"

Further Information

1) Enterprising Britain competition has 4 categories and is managed by Young Chambers for the Department of Business of Innovation and Skills. The four categories are Promoting entrepreneurial spirit, Building enterprise skills, Improving the business environment and Support for exporting.

2) The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank also contributes to the youth enterprise ecosystem in the area by sponsoring Global Entrepreneurship Week, the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge, the £5 Blossom Programme as well as the Be Enterprise Group of teachers and tutors.

3) The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank gives grants of up to £1000 to young people from Hull & East Riding, to-date it has supported 354 young people who have received a grant and issued on average £650.