More innovative ideas on display

This year's President's Challenge Social Enterprise Award competition has seen a rise in the numbers of young applicants and innovative ideas.

Ms Low Yen Ling, Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development, and Mr Noel Hon, chairman of the awards committee, pointed out the trends at last night's award ceremony.

In the past, members of the Social Enterprise Association have helped the community by providing jobs to the needy and vulnerable.

But now, they also help in other ways, such as by providing affordable health-care services for the poor or supporting the work of other social organisations.

"This is a positive development," said Ms Low. "It shows that more social entrepreneurs are trying out different innovative ideas for the social good."

The scope of the award was broadened this year and attracted a greater diversity of applicants.

Mr Hon noted that more young people are interested in social entrepreneurship.

The Youth Social Enterprise of the Year award category attracted 11 applicants this year, six more than last year. However, there was no winner this year.

"It was a very difficult decision," Mr Hon explained to The Straits Times.

"They show a lot of promise, but they could improve more on the sustainability of their organisations."

He hopes that they will return to compete again, adding: "We hope all social entrepreneurs will keep their passion ablaze, and continue impacting the lives of many."

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