Have you get an idea that you think could make you millions? Would you like to help young people to realise their potential? If your answer is yes to either of these questions we want to help you to get your plans off the ground!
Enterprise Week (17-23 November 2008), part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, is a national celebration of enterprise with thousands of events and activities happening across the UK. Last year there were over 5,000 events and more than half a million people took part!
Since the first Enterprise Week back in 2004 there have been a massive 11,000 events organised by schools, colleges, businesses, public sector and third sector organisations. People like you all over the country have taken part and are inspiring people to have ideas and make them happen.
With increased media attention during the week, it's a great time to launch a new project or competition, or to put the spotlight on what you do all year round.
This year, Enterprise Week is going to be part of the first ever Global Entrepreneurship Week. It's a worldwide celebration of enterprise, which aims to unleash young people's enterprising ideas to make money and to address some of society's biggest issues, from reducing poverty through to climate change.
While it may be global in scope, at its heart are many local initiatives reflecting the customs and entrepreneurial culture of over 50 countries taking part. From speednetworking to large scale competitions to high profile celeb-packed events, it's about inspiring, connecting, informing, mentoring and engaging the next generation of entrepreneurs.
For more information about what other countries are doing see www.unleashingideas.org.
Make Your Mark Challenge: Monday 17 November
Get your students involved in the Make Your Mark Challenge, a free one day enterprise competition that will kick-start Enterprise Week on Monday 17 November. The competition is open to students at Key Stage 4, in Sixth Form and in FE College. Last year 38,000 young people took part in more than 7,000 teams. See www.makeyourmarkchallenge.org.uk for more information.
Women's Enterprise Day: Wednesday 19 November
Women's Enterprise Day is all about celebrating female entrepreneurs who have truly made their mark, and inspiring more women and girls to turn their ideas into reality. This year we're particularly encouraging female entrepreneurs to connect across the globe.
Social Enterprise Day: Thursday 20 November
A social enterprise is a business with aims which are primarily social or environmental and whose surpluses are ploughed back into the business or community rather than for personal gain. So help inspire the next generation of social entrepreneurs and encourage them to start-up businesses that can help address some of society's biggest problems.
Speednetwork the Globe
As one of the signature activities of Global Entrepreneurship Week, join countries across the world and run a speednetwork to unleash energy, share ideas and make connections - fast. All you need is a whistle, a watch and some people. Blow the whistle every three minutes and everyone finds someone new to talk to. Be part of something big, as people all over the world start talking ideas. See www.enterpriseweek.org.uk/getinvolved/globalactivities for more information.
For more information see www.enterpriseweek.org.uk or contact Victoria Zastava, Enterprise Project Adviser for the South West RDA.
