If you are interested in entering your organisation in this years Lincolnshire Echo Business Awards please download and fill in this form and post it to the address provided on the form.

UnLtd Engage launches in England and Wales on August 1, supported by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, an awards scheme aimed for individuals aged 50+ or younger, with an idea for a project which will:

• Inspire self-belief and wellbeing in an older population (health and wellbeing, social and community involvement, recreation).
• Make the most of opportunities (working, volunteering, innovative approaches to getting older, making changes).
• Value shared wisdom and experience (ending isolation, loneliness, positive perception, breaking down the inter-generational barriers).

UnLtd Engage is looking for 30 entrepreneurial individuals with a passion and an idea which will bring about positive change in attitudes and approaches to getting older.

For further information please call 0845 850 1122 or visit www.unltd.org.uk/engage or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Financial services provider Zurich has launched a scheme offering public liability insurance to small voluntary organisations and community groups for less than £10 a month or £75 a year. Zurich said the policy would enable groups to purchase comprehensive public liability cover for a range of activities covering claims and losses of up to £10m.

 

A spokewoman for Zurich said that voluntary and community projects often failed to get off the ground because of the cost and complications of buying protection, which can sometimes involve going through the local council.

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

Third sector Chief Executives body ACEVO has launched a website designed to monitor public sector cuts to third sector organisations.

Cutswatch.org.uk has been set up to provide guidance and support to third sector organisations through public spending cuts. The site aims to provide up-to-date news, case studies, guides and information on how to positively deal with spending cuts, along with links to useful events and services.

The website also has information on how organisations can negotiate with funders, challenge poor funding decisions and demonstrate their impact.

Read more on the Cuts Watch website

Lincolnshire’s third sector (voluntary & community organisations, charities, social enterprises, co-operatives and mutuals) has a total direct economic impact of £410 million. This estimate of economic impact means that the value of the Third Sector in Lincolnshire is greater than the Hotels and Restaurants sector, and approximately 27% the size of the wholesale and retail sector. This and additional key information is available in the recently published report -The Economic Significance of the Third Sector in Lincolnshire.

The full report and an Executive Summary are available on Lincolnshire County Council’s website – www.lincolnshire.co.uk/healthycommunities but for further information please contact Bev Finnegan, Healthy Communities, Lincolnshire County Council on 01522 550516.

The East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) is expected to be scrapped after the Government announcement in the June 2010 emergency UK Budget that it would axe funding for the EMDA and similar organisations, called Regional Development Agencies (RDAs). The new administration will encourage the formation of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) led by elected local authority leaders. The LEPs will carry out some of the functions currently carried out by RDAs. The Government said LEPs will be based around England's major cities and natural economic areas to enable improved public and private investment in housing, transport, skills, regeneration and other areas of economic development.

Villagers will benefit from a new arts and heritage centre after being awarded a £453,000 Lottery boost.

People in Caistor have successfully applied to be part of the Village SOS scheme, which is being run by the Big Lottery Fund and the BBC.

Food Labelling Decision Delayed

Food Solutions reported in their last newsletter on 15th March the European Parliament's powerful ENVI committee voted, amongst others, to prohibit national additions to European food labelling regulations. A meeting of the European Parliament on May 18th was due to debate the recommendations of the influential group. This has now been postponed until June 17th, when the labelling draft goes to MEPs. Our information is that there might be further amendments tabled.

Source- Food Solutions

For more information on any future changes go to http://www.food-solutions.org/food-labelling.html

Vetting and barring scheme put on hold

15 June 2010 The vetting and barring scheme for people working with children and vulnerable adults has been shelved.

Registration was due to get underway next month but Home Secretary Theresa May has announced that the initiative will be put on hold and subject to a full review.

May said: "The safety of children and vulnerable adults is of paramount importance to the new government.

Find out how the Chancellor's statement affects your business

The Budget in Brief

Business Link have brought together the changes announced in the 2010 Budget Report and summarised them in a document that is essential for businesses.

To find out how the Budget will affect your business, follow the link below.

Business Link provides access to all the information, advice and support needed to start, maintain and grow a business. We provide information and advice to help customers make the most of their opportunities. Whether you're a new or established company, we can put you in touch with experts who will help you realise your full potential and achieve your business goals.

 

For more information about any Business Link products, services and initiatives available, simply email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact one of our Customer Service Advisers on 0845 058 6644.

 

source Business Link

Click here to read a personal view from Charles Cooke, CEO of Lincolnshire Co-operative Development Agency of the Social Enterprise Mark.

The Social Enterprise Mark

The new Social Enterprise Mark has now been launched. There are high hopes that it will create a much better understanding of what social enterprise is and get more people to buy from, engage with, start up and work for social enterprises. The Mark identifies businesses that meet defined criteria for social enterprise and offers consumers an instantly recognisable logo that represents enterprises working for social and environmental aims,trading to benefit people and the planet.

Social Enterprise Coalition launch 2010 election campaign

The campaign’s aim is to raise awareness of Social Enterprise amongst MPs to create an environment in which social enterprises can thrive.

The campaign includes:

A manifesto that outlines the social enterprise community’s key policy asks for the next Government

A charter whereby MPs are asked to sign up to in order to demonstrate their support for social enterprises throughout their constituencies and across the UK.

Any queries relating to the campaign please email:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here to access further information on the manifesto