With nominations for The Co-operative Awards 2012 officially open, co-operatives across the UK can now submit their entries to be in with a chance of winning one of three coveted titles.
As part of the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives 2012, the awards celebrate the outstanding contribution co-operatives continue to make to the UK economy.
Co-operatives in the UK together turnover £35.6bn and have outperformed the wider UK economy for four consecutive years, growing by 19.5% since 2008, whilst the UK economy has shrunk by 1.7%. There are over 5,900 independent co-operative businesses in the UK and, with 13.5 million memberships, they are owned by one in four of the population.
As businesses owned and run by and for their members — whether they are customers, employees, residents or small businesses — co-operatives give members an equal say and share of the profits. Co-operatives work in all parts of the economy, from farming to football, healthcare to housing.
And so to really celebrate the strength of the co-operative sector here in the UK, Co-operatives UK is calling on co-operators from all parts of the country, to enter The Co-operative Awards 2012.
Recognising excellence, innovation and ethics of businesses and individuals across the diverse co-operative movement, The Co-operative Awards 2012 also help to celebrate co-operation and the achievements of the UK's most pioneering and inspirational co-operators.
The nominations are now open in the following categories:
The #coops2012 Award
For the co-operative that has actively used a variety of media — including radio, press and social media – to help promote how it is building a better world through co-operation during 2012.
Co-operative of the Year Award
For overall excellence in relation to performance on all aspects of running a successful co-operative enterprise.
Small Co-op, Big Achiever
For a small co-operative, with a turnover of less than £5 million that has made a big impact with an innovative project or projects.
Open to all members of Co-operatives UK, the awards are free to enter and organisations can enter as many award categories as they wish.
Co-operatives can enter now, by completing the online entry form together with any supporting documents for each category that they wish to enter.
Award winners will be announced at the International Dinner and Awards to be held on 31 October 2012 as part of Co-operatives United — an inspiring global festival of events and exhibitions set in Manchester to mark the culmination of The United Nations International Year of Co-operatives.
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, which is co-ordinating the awards, said: "The United Nations International Year of Co-operatives 2012 is a time to prove that co-operative enterprises are building a better world and The Co-operative Awards 2012 will be a shining example of co-operative businesses that are doing just that here in the UK."
The deadline for nominations for The Co-operative Awards 2012 is 10 September, and shortlisted finalists will be announced on 28 September.
To nominate your co-operative for the Co-operative Awards 2012, please click here.
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