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A new major awards scheme celebrating businesses, community organisations and public sector bodies working towards social inclusion within Yorkshire and Humber is to be launched at the Building Better Businesses and Communities Conference on 7 November.

The Creating Better Futures Awards will recognise commitment to transforming the regions communities by working towards inclusion for all. The awards will be based on factors identified as key in project success; Ambition, Diversity, Leadership, Involvement, Creating a culture of change, Partnership working and Measuring effectiveness.

The Yorkshire Forward led scheme will be launched by Linda Pollard OBE, Deputy Chair of Yorkshire Forward and will include up to a £10,000 bursary for community schemes across the region. Running until 2010, they are also supported by the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly and dedicated in memory of the innovation and inclusion work of Julian Cummins the former Assembly and Yorkshire Forward Board member.

The awards coincide with the arrival of ‘Promise’ the region’s inclusion strategy, which marks a new phase in how the region will work together to address this issue, building on work that the region has already carried out.

Thea Stein, Head of Economic Inclusion for Yorkshire Forward comments:

“Only by developing relationships between businesses and communities can a truly inclusive society be created for the prosperity of all and for the region to continue to advance in an increasingly global marketplace across all sectors. These awards celebrate such partnerships and encourage others to follow suit.”

Peter Box, Chair of the Assembly adds: “Ensuring we tackle social inclusion is an important issue for Yorkshire and Humber as we need to find new ways to help those less well-off in disadvantaged areas enjoy a good quality of life.

As we recognise the excellence of the region’s best practice projects we also aim to build on achievements by putting in place a support structure to allow practitioners the chance to share their expertise with a wider audience.”

Caroline Flint MP for Yorkshire and Humber says: “I am delighted to support the launch of 'Promise - delivering inclusion in Yorkshire and Humber'. This is a key priority for central government and I am pleased that the regional partners in Yorkshire and the Humber are demonstrating their commitment to meet the needs of the most disadvantaged communities in the region.”

The Yorkshire Forward Building Better Businesses and Communities Conference 2007 will bring together industry leaders from the private sector and community groups - uniting their respective expertise and experience in order to match community and volunteer projects with businesses in the region.

Held at The Royal Armouries, the conference will also feature keynote speakers Sir Bob Geldof KBE, Andy Bond, President and Chief Executive of Asda and Mark Lovell, Executive Chairman at A4E will discuss their experience with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and show how developing links to the surrounding community can give direct financial benefits to a business whilst creating opportunities for all.

Notes to editors:

Yorkshire Forward

· Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency behind the economic regeneration of Yorkshire and Humber. It aims to make a positive difference by investing in jobs, improving towns and cities, and in supporting businesses throughout the region.

. Over the past year, Yorkshire Forward has created and safeguarded more than 27,000 new jobs; helped create and attract more than 1,100 new businesses, provided nearly 66,000 learning opportunities and attracted more than £333 million private sector finance - achieving or exceeding all of the targets it was set.

. Yorkshire Forward’s investment across the region is maximised by attracting European Regional Development Funding from the Objective One and Two programmes.

For further information, images or to arrange an interview, please contact Leona Thompson, Press Officer on 0113 3949589 or email
Leona.thompson@yorkshire-forward.com