Social Vision photography competition launched

Images which show business at its best in the West Midlands are being sought as part of a photo competition for social enterprises.

‘Social Vision: business at its best’ is looking for images that capture the unique and transformative work of social enterprise. Now in its third year, the photography competition is for the first time being jointly run by Triodos Bank and the Social Enterprise Coalition, in association with Social Enterprise magazine and the regional networks including Social Enterprise West Midlands.

Business at its best is about transforming lives through enterprising ideas and solutions; it’s about social and environmental missions guiding the way to financial stability and a more just and sustainable world.

We’re looking for images that show the passion, people and places using enterprise to drive positive change. So if you’re working for a social enterprise in the West Midlands take a photo that highlights your day to day activities and tell us the story behind the image.

The winning photographer will receive a cash prize of £750. The social enterprise featured in the photograph will also win £750 along with one year’s free membership to the Social Enterprise Coalition, an entry ticket for two people to Voice 11, a year’s subscription to Social Enterprise magazine and £1000 worth of print advertising in Social Enterprise magazine.

Regional heats will be taking place in each of the nine English regions and in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland before the finalists go head to head to win the overall prize. The UK winner will be decided by an online public vote. All of the shortlisted photos will go on display in London during November and will be used to create a new 2011 photographic calendar.

The competition opens on 23 July and will close on Friday 1 October 2010 at 5pm. The regional finalists will be announced on Social Enterprise Day, Thursday 18 November.

Previous regional winners have included Sport 4 Life UK (2008) and Sandwell Community Caring Trust (2009).

Kevin Maton, Network Director of Social Enterprise West Midland, said: “Over the past two years we have been amazed by the quality of the entries and the powerful way in which they have communicated the benefits of social enterprise. The competition is a great opportunity for us to learn more about new and existing social enterprises from across the West Midlands and the brilliant work that they do.”

To enter e-mail [email protected] and request an application form. Or visit the Social Vision website where you can also find a full list of the rules and regulations for the competition. www.triodos.co.uk/socialvision

END

For further information about the compeititon please email Shemaine Rose, Communications Officer at Social Enterprise West Midlands or call 02476 633911 ext.118.

Social Enterprise Day (Thursday 18 November) is a national celebration of Social Enterprise and takes place as part Global Entrepreneurship Week (15 -19 November). The GEW campaign is run by Enterprise UK and supported by the Department of Business, Industry and Skills www.gew.org.uk