Category 7: Renfrewshire Council- Renfrewshire Schools Dragons' Den

The Dragons' Den (TV programme) concept was developed to create a sustainable format which would work in Renfrewshire schools.

The programme was designed to link financial education with social enterprise, in a venture which encouraged school pupils to create a business idea, develop a business plan, apply for funding and then run the business. The ideas had to be sustainable which would continue as viable business models in school. Pupils, school staff and the Dragons were involved throughout the planning and delivery process. The involvement of the Dragons centred on an intense evaluation of the proposals and what level of funding was appropriate for each of the finalists.

With the support of the Social Enterprise Academy the Dragons' Den project was publicised to all schools, and 21 entries were received from pre-5, primary and secondary schools. After the careful process of short listing by the organising team, which included a representative from the Social Enterprise Academy, seven finalists were selected to go before the Dragons to present their business plans for funding to allow them to develop and deliver their business concepts. The final was a formal staged event in front of a large and responsive audience, and heightening the experience of all the finalists -- it has also created significant interest for the next programme which is planned for Spring 2011.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism