Background

Enterprising Britain is a nationwide competition to find the most enterprising place in the UK - the city, town, place or area in the country that is best improving economic prospects and encouraging enterprise.

It aims to:

• Identify and recognise successful activities and initiatives undertaken to promote enterprise and entrepreneurship
• Showcase and share examples of best practice in enterprise policy and implementation
• Create a higher awareness of the importance of enterprise and entrepreneurship in society
• Identify the UK entry to the European Enterprise Awards

Enterprising Britain has been developed in consultation across central government, and in partnership with the Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Administrations and was run for the first time in 2004/5.

Enterprising Britain has two distinct stages:

• A regional competition managed by the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and Devolved Administrations
• A national competition managed by the Department of Trade and Industry.

The first stage of Enterprising Britain 2007 will take place between 31 January 2007 and 31 May 2007. During this period, 12 regional winners will be selected from across the UK.

Enterprising Britain is open to all cities, towns, places or areas in the UK that can demonstrate how they have supported and enterprise in the last two years.

Entries will be judged by an independent panel of experts who will look for a candidate that can demonstrate the positive impact they have had on the region through enterprise. Case studies of previous winners will provide an idea of the sort of initiatives which have appealed to the judges in the past.