The New Young Enterprise Scotland Environmental Award

New for 2007/2008, Young Enterprise Scotland, in conjunction with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards, has developed a new Environmental Award.  Launched at the 2007 VIBES Awards Event on December 5th by SEPA Chairman Sir Ken Collins, the award is open to all Young Enterprise companies across Scotland - not just those that win 'Best Company' in their region.

Former SEPA Chairman Sir Ken Collins presents Sam Edgar from Young Enterprise Scotland with the YES Environmental Award Trophy, kindly donated by SEPA and VIBES on 5th December 2007.

Launching the Award, Sir Ken Collins said:

"The volunteers of Young Enterprise Scotland have been working with VIBES and SEPA to develop a new category – the Environmental Award. The award will be given to the young company that best demonstrates:

• commitment to good environmental practice
• has taken action to improve its environmental performance
• has achieved environmental and financial benefits as a result.

It will be judged at the Young Enterprise Scotland finals in June 2008 against the same criteria as used for assessing VIBES entrants. The winner will receive this magnificent award which has been donated by VIBES.

Our young people are our business men and women of tomorrow and it is important they recognise the importance of integrating best environmental practice into business practice as part of their education. I see this scheme as an ideal mechanism to promote this and am pleased to see the collaboration with VIBES to take this forward. I wish Young Enterprise Scotland luck with this new award and perhaps we will see the winning student coming back in future years to pick up their VIBES Award!"

The Competition:

The competition aims to reward those Young Enterprise companies that have taken positive steps to reduce their impact on the environment.  Does your YES company have an Environmental Policy?  Do you use sustainable or recycled materials in your products?  Do you recycle waste?  Do you use 'environmentally friendly' suppliers?  This could be the Award for you!

What is the Award?

Thanks to SEPA and VIBES the Award is in 2 parts - the first is an actual award made from recycled glass and sustainable wood that will take pride of place in the winning company's school.  The second part is a unique opportunity to spend a day with one of SEPA's hard working Environmental Protection Officers in the winning company's local area - this will give a unique insight into the work that SEPA Officers have to do to ensure Scotland's environment is protected and find out what is involved in this area of work.  The Award will be presented at the Young Enterprise Scotland National Finals in June 2008.

Guidelines:

The Award will be judged against 8 criteria.  Guidelines for entering the award have been developed by SEPA and VIBES.  Click here to download the guidelines. 

How Do I Apply?

Click here to download the Application Form and follow the instructions.

Need to Know More?

Click here to download a PowerPoint presentation that gives some more information, or get in touch with Neil Archibald, Young Enterprise Volunteer and SEPA Employee.