A Bournemouth-based charity committed to helping enable disabled people start their own businesses has been shortlisted for a coveted global award.
SAMEE (Support and Mentoring Enabling Entrepreneurship) has been shortlisted out of 522 nominations from 90 countries worldwide for a Zero Project Award 2025.
It is one only five UK-based entries to reach the shortlist in a year when a record number of nominations were received from around the globe.
The #ZeroCall25 shortlist is determined directly through peer-review votes placed by disability inclusion experts.
The focus for the awards this year is on innovative solutions in inclusive employment and information and communication technology.
SAMEE’s tailored supported self employment internship caught the eyes of the judges.
The internship supports people with disabilities to develop the skills needed to run their own businesses.
It combines training in all aspects of running a business alongside work placements and mentoring support for a year.
Sam Everard, CEO and founder of SAMEE, pictured, said: “We already have seven people on the internship, many with complex neurodivergent challenges.
“The work rotations are with relevant employers so that they can build on their self-employment skills linked to their career aspirations.
“These include a gardener, artist, social media developer, crafter and photographer.
“I cannot believe that a small charity like ours has reached the global shortlist. It’s incredible!
“But most important to me is that our project is now recognized as being aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).”
The Zero Project Awards said of the charity achievement: “By addressing the needs and rights of persons with disabilities, you are contributing to the global effort to create a more just, equitable, and inclusive society – a world with zero barriers.”
In the following weeks, hundreds of experts will vote on all shortlisted nominations to determine who will receive a Zero Project Award 2025.
The awards will be published on December 3, 2024 – the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.