A Bournemouth-based charity which helps disabled people to start their own businesses has won a global award.
SAMEE, (Support and Mentoring Enabling Entrepreneurship) was among 522 nominations from 90 countries worldwide to be shortlisted for a Zero Project Award 2025 – and just one of five UK entries.
Today, which is designated as International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the charity was named as a Zero Project 2025 awardee and global disability champion.
Sam Everard, pictured, SAMEE’s CEO and founder – named last month as one of the UK’s 100 most influential disabled individuals – said: “My head is still spinning to be honest!
“I couldn’t believe that a small charity like ours made the Zero Project shortlist in a year with a record number of nominations.
“To now be an awardee is incredible. All this plus being included in the Disability Power 100 list.
“This month, SAMEE celebrated our eighth birthday so this is the icing on the cake to be recognised on International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The SAMEE charity will receive its award at the Zero Project Conference 2025 at the United Nations Offices in Vienna, Austria, where more than 1,000 participants from 100 countries are expected to attend.
Sam has also been invited to speak at the conference about her charity’s Supported Self Employment Internship.
The Zero Project is a global, research-driven initiative with a mission to work for a world with zero barriers.
More than 350 disability inclusion experts were involved in the selection process with this year’s research centred on innovative solutions in inclusive employment and information and communication technology.
SAMEE charity’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.