Call for nominees: Developmental Social Enterprise Awards

MANILA, Philippines – The Developmental Social Enterprise Awards (DSE Awards) is a push towards making public the private efforts of Filipino businessmen for social change and social good.

Initiated by Isla Lipana & Co., a member firm of the Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) global network, and the Benito & Catalina Yap Foundation (BCYFoundation), the DSE Awards are a recognition of the efforts of Filipino enterprises to create businesses that fulfil specific social objectives. 

The award-giving body defines a DSE as an organization that gives equal importance to establishing a profitable business model and having a social impact – specifically through working with partner communities and areas in terms of resources and manpower. In aiming for profit, these businesses must constantly address specific social challenges plaguing their partner communities. Success and scaling up must include a better quality of life for the groups and families the social enterprise works with.

Enterprises considered to be DSEs also include businesses from the cottage industry to medium-sized enterprises with a maximum asset cap of P50 million. 

Below are the criteria that the awards body are looking for in businesses:

• they must exist primarily to solve a specific social problem or objective
• the social objective must be integrated into the company’s business model as a cost of doing business, not an after-profit expense
• the social objective must be measurable through clearly defined metrics
• the business must be self-sustaining, with a continuous source of cash flow over 2-5 years of operations
• the business must have the potential to scale up

DSEs in the Philippines (corporations, partnership, non-profit or individual) may enter the DSE awards by logging on to www.dseawards.com until October 14, 2014. The screening committee will be composed of thought leaders from various sectors such as the academe, government, private business, media and the social enterprise sector.

The top 15 finalists will receive consultation and training support from Isla Lipana & Co. and the BCYFoundation, while a cash prize is reserved for the top winner.

The awarding ceremony will be held in December. – Rappler.com