Green Gown Awards

A project developed by Enactus Cardiff – a University society which provides students with opportunities to make a difference in their local community – has been shortlisted for an Enterprise award at the Green Gown Awards 2017.

‘Realising your business potential’ is a 10-week business course for asylum seekers and refugees in the Cardiff area delivered in collaboration with Cardiff Business School and The Welsh Refugee Council.

The course brings together undergraduates from Cardiff Business School and refugees and asylum seekers, with existing degrees or work experience in their home country, to develop social enterprise ideas.

Participants learn about basic “start-up” techniques and employability skills, while developing their self-confidence and English language skills.

Making a difference

Professor Tim Edwards from Cardiff Business School said: “Initiatives such as this demonstrate how entrepreneurship and innovative thinking can really make a difference.

“The refugee students involved in this scheme have grown in confidence through the opportunity to improve their situation, while the undergraduate students have seen how social enterprise can play an important role in helping individuals and communities to overcome obstacles.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan said: “Congratulations to the Enactus Society on being shortlisted for a Green Gown Award for delivering employability skills and entrepreneurial techniques to asylum seekers and refugees...”

Enactus Cardiff is supported by the Enterprise and Start-up team and part of Enactus UK, a global organisation that has student lead teams in universities all over the world.

The University’s work with Enactus highlights a range of research and engagement activities involving staff and students as part of a wider Responsible Innovation Network (RIN). The RIN encourages partnership building to create social as well as economic value, in line with Cardiff Business School’s overarching public value strategy.

The Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the UK and Ireland.

The winners of this year’s Green Gown Awards will be announced on 15 November 2017 at The Monastery, Manchester.