INTRODUCING THE AWARD CATEGORIES FOR PCSEA 2023!

The theme for the President's Challenge 2023 is "Caring for Caregivers".
In line with this, do highlight and showcase if your social enterprise has actively engaged with caregivers and created significant impact.

The President's Challenge Social Enterprise Award Applicants will be assessed, and the winners will be selected by an Award Committee comprising of distinguished members from the private, people and public sector.

The 2023 Award Committee is appointed by the Co-Chairs of the President's Challenge Steering Committee.

1.  What is a Social Enterprise?

raiSE defines Social Enterprises based on the following 3 verticals.

Intentionality: There is a clear intention from the management team and founder to prioritise the social goals as the core objective of the business.

Additionality: The Social Enterprise has a sustainable business model while also creating positive social impact by addressing areas of economic, mental, physical and social deprivations, demonstrating its ability to achieve a double bottom line.

Proportionality: The Social Enterprise has an established track record of dedicating substantial and quantifiable resources to fulfill its social objectives.

2.  What is the difference between the 3 award categories?

The Social Enterprise of the Year Award is presented to the Social Enterprise that has been operating for 2 years and more and can demonstrate how it has met our criteria through its social impact and business operations.

The Social Enterprise Start-Up of the Year Award is presented to the Social Enterprise that has been operating for less than 2 years that demonstrates how it has met our criteria through its social impact and business operations.

The Social Enterprise Champion of the Year Award is presented to the organisation and/or individual who have made significant contributions to the development of the Social Enterprise sector in Singapore, resulting in greater social impact.

3.  What are the reference letters for Social Enterprises about? And what is the recommended number of reference letters?

The intent of reference letters is to provide affirmation and validation for the good work that the Social Enterprise is doing. The reference letter should be backed by a credible and objective organisation that has a working relationship with the Social Enterprise.

For the supporting document, perhaps a letter or compilation of testimonials signed off by the SSAs or charity organisations that the Social Enterprise worked with. A recommended number will be 2 to 4 letters.

4.  What is the maximum number of reference letters allowed?

There is no maximum number of reference letters but from the application portal, you may find that you can only upload up to 5 supporting documents.

To submit more than 5, you may consolidate all references into 1 single document in PDF or word and upload on the supporting documents button.

5.  What are the nomination letters for Social Enterprises Champion of the Year (Organisation) about? And what is the recommended number of nomination letters?

The intent of the nomination letters is to provide affirmation and validation for the support that the organisation has provided to the Social Enterprise sector. The nomination letter should be backed by a credible Social Enterprise that has worked with or benefited from the organisation.

A minimum of 1 nomination letter signed off by the Social Enterprise is required.

6.  Our company was incorporated in before June, 2021, however, business operations started after June, 2021. Are we still able to qualify for the Social Enterprise Start-Up of the Year Award category?

Only businesses that has been incorporated for less than 2 years will be able to qualify for the Social Enterprise Start-Up of the Year Award category.

7.  As a Start-Up with less than 2 years in operations, Annex A would require me to provide the figures for the completed financial year and the remaining months?

Yes, please complete the Annex A financials to the best reflection of your business operation time period. You may provide the remaining months to give a better picture of your financials as per example below, (e.g. 1 year 9 months).

8.  In the absence of audited financial statements, will unaudited statements be sufficient?

• Your management accounts/unaudited statements will be sufficient.
• Alternatively, you may provide the financials in Annex A, points a to c.

9.  How do I apply for PCSEA 2023?

If you are a Social Enterprise applying for the Social Enterprise or Social Enterprise Start-Up of the Year Award, submit your application on our application portal. Please upload the completed required documents and click ‘Submit’.

If you would like to nominate your organisation and/or an individual who has supported you in your journey for the Social Enterprise Champion of the Year Award, please complete the following nomination forms found in our portal. 

For organisations, please upload the completed application form and nomination letter (to be completed by the Social Enterprise). Self-nomination is accepted for the individual champion category. All applicants will receive an email confirmation once all the required documents for their application have been received.

10.  I am not a raiSE Social Enterprise Member, can I still apply for Social Enterprise of the Year or Social Enterprise Start-Up of the Year?

Non raiSE Social Enterprise members may still apply for PCSEA. The application to the award will also serve as an application to the raiSE Social Enterprise Membership. ​It is not necessary to fill up a separate membership application form for new membership. PCSEA and raiSE new membership applications will be reviewed in tandem. ​ Applicants that meet the raiSE Social Enterprise membership criteria and wish to be considered for the award will be required to make a payment of $300 as raiSE membership fee through a payment link which will be sent subsequently after evaluation. All payment must be made in full within one month from the PCSEA application closing date of 31 July 2023. 

11.  How will I know if my application has been received?

All applicants will receive an email confirmation once all the required documents for their application have been received. If you have submitted all your documents but have not received a confirmation email, you can write to the PCSEA Secretariat at pcsea@raise.sg.

12.  What is the application process?

Your application will be reviewed for completeness, eligibility and adherence to the application guidelines. Incomplete and/or ineligible applications will be rejected. Complete applications that meet the eligibility criteria will be reviewed by the Award Committee. Shortlisted applicants will be notified and site visits or interviews with the Award Committee will be scheduled. Winners will be announced at the Award Ceremony in November 2023.

13.  If my Social Enterprise has taken part in PCSEA in previous years, can I take part again this year?

If your Social Enterprise has taken part in either PCSEA 2012, PCSEA 2013, PCSEA 2015, PCSEA 2017, PCSEA 2019 and was the winner in those years, you will be eligible to take part in PCSEA 2023. If your Social Enterprise has taken part in 2021 but did not win any of the main prizes, you are also eligible to take part in PCSEA 2023.

However, if your organisation has won in 2021, you will not be eligible to take part in PCSEA 2023.

14.  Whom should I contact if I have further questions?

If you have further questions pertaining to the application process you may email the PCSEA Secretariat at pcsea@raise.sg.