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In 2011 British Council for the first time is introducing International Young Design Entrepreneur award (IYDE) in Latvia in order to find the brightest stars in the international design & fashion industry, recognizing the importance of entrepreneurs in driving forward the design and fashion industry, developing their independent sector and promoting the best of what’s going on in their local scene.
We are currently looking for a young design and/or fashion entrepreneur to represent Latvia in the UK and undertake the UK design and fashion industry tour in September, 2011
In 2011 national winners will be selected in countries around the world who will participate in a shared programme in the UK with valuable networking and idea exchange with their international and UK peers in the design and fashion industry. The UK tour will run alongside London Fashion Week in September 16-21, 2011and London Design Week in September 17-25, 2011.
The participating countries in the 2011 IYDE award are: Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Russia, Turkey, UAE, Syria, Ghana, Nigeria, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Mexico.
For IYDE award launch in Latvia we have joined our forces with Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) in order to build and promote competitive and sustainable design entrepreneurship in Latvia. We are also continuing our cooperation with our strategic partner Stockholm School of Economics in Riga and our marketing partner DDB Latvia , our digital partner CUBE as well as community network site Draugiem.lv.
If you are passionate about your industry this is your opportunity to step into the international stage and take part at our International Young Design Entrepreneur Award 2011 programme!
The awards are unique in rewarding entrepreneurial ability. We recognize that a finalist may be active as a design or fashion artist, however his/her work as an artist should be secondary to their focus as an entrepreneur in the promotion and development of the design or fashion industry in their country. Artistic talent will not be factored into the judging procedure – finalists will be judged solely on the merit of their entrepreneurial abilities in the industry.
IYME award is a part of the wider British Council’s Creative and Cultural Economy programme which recognises the emerging importance of the creative industries as a strategic priority for reinvigorating economic growth, employment and social cohesion. Programme strengthens the UK’s position as the preeminent hub in the global creative economy, by connecting young creative entrepreneurs through links of cultural, economic and social importance to policy and infrastructure development.
The British Council’s Young Creative Entrepreneur (YCE) programme Young Creative Entrepreneur (YCE) programme connects a global network of innovative emerging entrepreneurs in the creative sector. It champions those who find new ways to take creative work to audiences and communities – e.g. using new models of production, distribution, value – and highlights the wider social, economic and cultural benefits in doing so. It is about people who are passionate about what they do, helping to develop their skills, networks, and international inspiration. The focus of the programme is to catalyse future collaboration and business between the UK and participating countries around the world.
For more information please contact:
Maija Udre
Maija.Udre@britishcouncil.lv
Marketing and Communications Manager
British Council Latvia
T: +371 67281730
M +371 29424646
DESIGN AND FASHION SECTOR DEFINITION
IYDE award participants can be drawn from any of the following areas of the design or fashion sector:
- Architecture, interiors and environment
- Product design manufacture: furniture, industrial products and craft
- Fashion, textile, accessories or perfume design and production
- Design and fashion promotion: shows, exhibitions, festivals, events
- Design and fashion retail: buying, merchandising
- Design and fashion product research, sourcing, supply chain management
- Design and fashion marketing, PR, branding, communications, journalism, publishing
WHO CAN APPLY?
All candidates should fit the following criteria:
- Be aged between 21 and 40 at the date applications are due (05.07.2011)
- Already work in the design or fashion sector (as above) with at least three years experience
- Be entrepreneurial and have shown their ability in the promotion and development of the design or fashion sector in their country, in either a commercial context, public context, or both
- Through their character, drive and abilities, demonstrate their potential as a future leader of the sector and a partner for the UK – which would see further work between your country and the UK
- Have English language skills to IELTS 6 - ‘competent user’ or above
Definition of a creative entrepreneur
British Council defines creative entrepreneurs as follows:
- Somebody working in the creative sector who is able to demonstrate business success in the classic terms of business growth (profit, market share, employees) and/or in terms of his or her reputation (creativity, quality and aesthetic) amongst their peers.
- Somebody working in the creative sector who has developed a successful (in terms of impact and reach) social or not for profit enterprise in this sector.
- Somebody working in the creative sector who has shown leadership in the industry by championing its development in their country.
- Somebody working in the creative sector who has developed initiatives (exhibitions, trade fairs, festivals etc) that develop and grow the market for this sector in their country.
HOW TO APPLY?
Download the IYDE award Application form.
Complete the application form and send it via e-mail to mail@britishcouncil.lv or bring to British Council office with visuals or examples of your work: Blaumana 5a-2, Riga by 5pm, July 5, 2011 (inclusive).
Clearly mark your e-mail subject with ‘IYDE Award 2011’.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE
Timeline:
16 June 2011 Announcement of IYDE award competition
5 July 2011 Application deadline (by filling IYDE award Application form)
8 July 2011 Shortlisting of 10 finalists
12 or 13 July 2011 Interviews with IYDE jury panel to select national winner
14 July 2011 Announcement of the Latvia’s national winner
September 15th to September 25th, 2011 (dates still TBC) Finalist arrives in London and undertakes UK design/fashion industry tour.
Guidelines to the 10 shortlisted candidates selected for an interview will follow. Finalists will be expected to present their work and have Q&A session with Jury panel for 20-30 minutes.
Jury panel still to be announced shortly.
WHAT WILL BE JUDGED?
IYDE award jury will look at the following qualities of a creative entrepreneur:
Entrepreneurial ability
- Risk taking: Can assess, enjoy and face risks, with the skills/initiative to successfully drive ideas forward
- Passion for their creative sector: Creative entrepreneurs are the mediators that bring creative products to the market and require an ability to talent spot, respect, understand and manage creativity
- Corporate skills: Business acumen, commercial awareness, managerial ability, vision and strategy
- Interpersonal skills: Ability to sell an idea, negotiate and network
Innovation/ development of new business models
- Finds new, innovative ways to take creative work to audiences and communities – new models of production, distribution, value – highlighting the wider social, economic and cultural benefits in doing so
- Original ideas and the flexibility and self-confidence to take these to market
Leadership ability/potential to change their sector
- Leadership ability: Have the vision to combine their creative and entrepreneurial skills to be a leader in their national creative community. Ability to share the lessons of their IYDE experience with others.
- Agent of change: ability to make a difference – as not merely successful in business terms but also intervenes in the domestic market to impact positively on its infrastructure.
Market awareness and understanding
- Market awareness: Knowledge of the local market situation and their role in it
- Ability to spot gaps within the market and exploit these opportunities into real solutions
International outlook and ability to network with the UK/globally
- International outlook: Wants to develop a mutually beneficial culture of personal/professional engagement and collaboration with the UK, and to benefit from dialogue with other international participants and is keen to develop future international projects
WHAT IS THE PRIZE?
In September 2011 (September 15th to 25th, exact dates still TBC) the national IYDE award winners will travel to the UK for a one week all-expenses paid industry programme to develop opportunities for commercial and collaborative work in future. The programme will include:
- Curated group meetings to give an overview of what’s happening in the UK design and fashion industry
- Peer networking with the international participants and UK young design and fashion entrepreneurs
- Access to senior UK industry figures (master-class and a lunch for select invitees), including potential advice/ongoing mentoring and investment
- Time for individual business meetings
- Attendance at London Fashion Week or London Design Week
Follow British Council activities on Facebook page and draugiem.lv page:
www.facebook.com/british.council.latvia
www.draugiem.lv/britupadome
For more information please contact:
Maija Udre
Maija.Udre@britishcouncil.lv
Marketing and Communications Manager
British Council Latvia
T: +371 67281730
M +371 29424646
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