“The President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award aims to recognise outstanding social enterprises which are innovative and have made significant sustained contributions to the disadvantaged in our community. I hope that through this new award, the President’s Challenge will inspire more individuals, particularly our youths, to develop business ventures that also serve social causes.” - President Tony Tan Keng Yam Launch of PC 2012 27 March 2012

1. PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE
2012 SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
AWARD
AWARD BROCHURE |

2. PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AWARD 2012
“The President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award aims to recognise outstanding social
enterprises which are innovative and have made significant sustained contributions to the
disadvantaged in our community. I hope that through this new award, the President’s Challenge
will inspire more individuals, particularly our youths, to develop business ventures that also serve
social causes.”
- President Tony Tan Keng Yam
Launch of PC 2012
27 March 2012
INTRODUCTION
Launched in March 2012, the President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award, is the only award within
the social enterprise sector in Singapore that aims to recognize outstanding social enterprises for
their contributions made to the social services sector.
Social enterprises are businesses with a social mission. Social enterprises derive majority of their
earned income through trading activities. Social enterprises strive to achieve both financial
sustainability and their social objectives. The profits earned through their sustainable operations are
generally ploughed back to further their social causes.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award are:
a) To recognize successful and sustainable social enterprises which operate and create social
impact in Singapore;
b) To inspire aspiring social entrepreneurs and youths to develop innovative and sustainable
social enterprises targeted at the local social services sector; and
c) To enhance public awareness of social enterprises by sharing best practices and success
stories of award winners.
AWARDS COMMITTEE
The President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award winners will be selected by an Awards Committee
comprising distinguished members from the corporate, people and public sectors. The Awards
Committee will be appointed annually by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Community
Development, Youth and Sports.
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3. AWARD CATEGORIES
The President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award consists of three Award categories:
a) Social Enterprise of the Year
- For social enterprises which have incorporated or operated for more than 2 years
b) Social Enterprise Start-up of the Year
- For social enterprises which have incorporated or operated for 2 years or less
c) Youth Social Enterprise of the Year
- For social enterprises founded and managed by youths aged under 35 years old
Each social enterprise can choose to apply in only one category of Award. The Awards Committee
reserves the right to re-assign the social enterprise to another Award category best suited to the
social enterprise based on its size, experience and maturity.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible for the Award, social enterprises must be:
a) Incorporated/registered in Singapore; and
b) Operating and creating social impact within the social service sector in Singapore.
In line with President’s Challenge, social enterprises should serve the following key beneficiary
groups:
a) Ex-offenders and ex-drug abusers;
b) Persons with disabilities;
c) Persons recovering from psychiatric illness;
d) Children;
e) Youths-at-risk;
f) Elderly; and
g) Individuals from needy families.
Social enterprises serving other beneficiary groups within the social service sector in Singapore will
be considered based on the merits of each application.
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4. JUDGING CRITERIA
Nominees for the President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award will be evaluated based on the
following key criteria:
a) Social Impact
- Social enterprises are expected to show how their operations, in particular, their
products/services/business models, have benefited the disadvantaged in the community.
For example, enhancing self-reliance amongst needy disadvantaged persons through
employment opportunities or committing a significant portion of their profits towards
meeting their social purpose.
b) Leadership/Governance
- Social enterprises’ leaders are expected to demonstrate their vision, commitment and
perseverance, ability to provide strategic direction and building team commitment as
well as ensuring corporate governance.
c) Business Performance & Financial Viability
- Social enterprises are expected to demonstrate the effective use of resources and their
ability to operate a sustainable business, as indicated through their financial accounts.
Strong preference will be given to social enterprises which derive majority of their
earned income through trading activities. Social enterprises which can show scalability
in their business model would have an advantage.
d) Innovation & Productivity Improvement
- Social enterprises are expected to demonstrate entrepreneurial thinking behind their
set-up including application of innovation and productivity improvements in their
products/services/business processes.
e) Working Environment of Social Enterprise
- Social enterprises are expected to show how they have sought to prove a good and safe
working environment for their employees, especially the disadvantaged ones, including
evidences of effective communication channels between management and employees
as well as good human resource practices.
SELECTION PROCESS
Participation for the President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award is by self-nomination using the
official 2012 President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award Nomination Form. The completed form
and the required supporting documents must be submitted by 31 August 2012 at 5pm to:
President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award Secretariat
c/o Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports
512 Thomson Road #08-00 MCYS Building
Singapore 298136
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5. All eligible nominations will be assessed as follows:
AWARDS AND PRIZES
Award winners will be invited to attend the Award presentation ceremony to be held in
December 2012.
Each Award winner will receive:
a) A Trophy; and
b) Cash Award
- Social Enterprise of the Year : S$15,000
- Social Enterprise Start-up of the Year : S$10,000
- Youth Social Enterprise of the Year : S$10,000
ENQUIRIES AND INFORMATION
For more information regarding the President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award and to download a
copy of the Nomination Form, please refer to the website: www.pc.org.sg/SocialEnterpriseAward.aspx
or email the Award Secretariat at: mcys_se@mcys.gov.sg
Note:
All decisions made by the Awards Committee are final and binding in all aspects related to the Awards. The Awards Committee, at its sole
discretion, reserves all rights to modify the rules and criteria for the Awards. The Awards Committee also reserves the right to withdraw or
revoke any award that has been made and/or presented.
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