Congratulations to the University’s Social Enterprise Team from UMIP and Manchester Enterprise Centre (MEC) for winning the Higher Education Institute Recognition Award for Innovation in Delivery of Support to Social Entrepreneurs earlier this month. This award recognises the outstanding achievements, impact and innovation in developing support mechanisms for social entrepreneurs.

In addition, our entrepreneurs were individually recognised for the following awards:

Outstanding Innovation: Recognising the most innovative and potentially transformational solutions to social issues developed by staff, students or graduates

Winner, Erinma Ochu – Farmlab CIC, a local ‘pop up’ urban farming system designed to encourage a move towards zero carbon and zero waste by recycling of water and nutrients and to connect city dwellers to food grown locally.

Outstanding Achievement: Personal Growth and Development: Recognising outstanding staff, students and graduate social entrepreneurs who have personally grown, developed and achieved through their award and development as a social entrepreneur.

Shortlisted finalists, Helen Power for Levenshulme Market CIC and Ruth Daniel for In Place of War CIC with UMIP’s Dr Laura Etchells a shortlisted finalist for Social Entrepreneurship Champion of the Year.

Dr Julian Skyrme, Director of Social Responsibility at the University commented: “Making a difference to society is a core part of The University of Manchester’s mission. We are delighted to see our work to support and develop social enterprises receive this national recognition once again.”