ABOUT THE FILENE AND BIDEN AWARDS

EDWARD FILENE CREDIT UNION AWARDS FOR PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE - GB & IRELAND 
and
JOE BIDEN AWARDS FOR DEVELOPMENT EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR  
from DE programmes in Africa, Asia, Australasia, the Caribbean, Europe (inc. GB & Ireland) and North America

By stretching themselves and their organisations, the entrants for all categories are the real change makers, the Winners are the “real deal” and should be applauded.

Neither the "Filenes" nor the "Bidens" are a “shoe in”.  The entry process is hard, being a test of an individual’s and a credit union’s .....

• Energy – unflagging stamina
• Enthusiasm – motivating self and others
• Expertise – knowing what to do in a given situation
• Experience – a mature and balanced approach
• Endeavour – showing versatility to overcome problems
• Enterprise – developing  trading skills
• Evolution – recognising the need to change track
• Empathy – appreciating the needs of and having the ability to dispense “tough love”
• Selflessness – the strength of character to put the desired objective before self
• Self sacrifice – the acceptance of some personal discomfort

Click here to enter an individual or credit union for one of the various "Filene" categories and to nominate an outstanding DE for the Biden Award, click here 

The Awards are a test of a credit union’s or an individual's trading and operational abilities - entries for any "Filene" category (only for credit unions from Great Britain and Ireland) should not be based on any type of grant funding, although what would be acceptable is working in conjunction or partnership with other bodies in both the public and private sectors, or taking loans at commercial rates to deliver a project. In the case of "Biden" entrants, if the individual has been selected by an aid agency of any type to deliver a project anywhere in the world, then that entry would be valid.

The entry period of 1st July 2017 to 1st June 2018 covers projects and every day business and community activities initiated or ongoing during the period   All entries sbould be original, although previous Award entrants are welcome to submit new and improved entries in categories entered before. There’s no limit on the number of categories that can be entered – in fact it takes a minimum of entry in six categories to challenge for the Supreme Award, the “Edward Filene Credit Union Award for Social Entrepreneurship”.

The Awards Office has a Helpline for advice and guidance on preparing entries and details of the Judging process are provided to assist also.

Closing date - 1st June 2018  

Awards Presentation and Celebratory Dinner - 17th November 2018 in Radisson Blu Edwardian "Free Trade Hall" Hotel, Manchester