This year I will be judging the Enterprising Solutions Awards (ESA) and I am dreading it. I know that I will be forced to choose one winner out of a shortlist of excellent candidates, and this year's ESAs will be one of my hardest decisions yet.

At the Office of the Third Sector (OTS) we have the task to create an environment wherein the third sector can thrive. The sector flourishes in this country. About 20 million people volunteer at least once a month and charitable giving is at record levels. Social enterprises are operating across a broad range of markets, with latest figures suggesting there are about 55,000 of them contributing £8.4 billion to GDP.

Social enterprises are led by inspirational social entrepreneurs. One great example is last year's winner, Divine Chocolate. This business aims to make a profit and be sustainable, but also has a social mission: to ensure high standards and a fair wage for farmers in developing countries. One role that many social enterprises now play is in pioneering the transformation of the design and delivery of our public services.

Hackney Community Transport in London, a previous ESA winner, delivers consumer-led services in innovative ways. Profits from London red bus routes enable the Hackney team to provide transport for those unable to access mainstream public transport, as well as accredited training programmes to local unemployed people. At the other end of the country, older and disabled people are able to stay in their own homes for longer because another former winner, Sunderland Home Care Associates, understands their needs and tailors the care services it offers accordingly.

Knives get everybody nervous

Hospital staff dismayed that new legislation could make them legally required to report knife wounds to the police

BACKGROUND

• Cutting edge champion

• Benefit help for council staff

• What worked for us

• Public opinion: Campbell Robb

Related Internet Links

• Public sector jobs

• Snakes & Ladders

This is why we want to work with third sector organisations to remove barriers that prevent them from delivering public services where they want to do so. Other government departments also recognise the value that third sector organisations can bring. Last month Lord Darzi of Denham announced measures giving NHS staff a “right to request” to set up a social enterprise where they feel this will provide a more responsive service to their communities.

In the OTS we are trying to understand the full range of measures that could enable the start-up and sustainability of third sector organisations. That is why we support a range of funding streams for the sector, from small grants to the smallest community group, loans enabling third sector organisations to compete to deliver public services should they wish to. We have invested £5 million in a research centre led by Birmingham University to look at the impact of the third sector in our society, and we are training people who commission public services in the benefits the sector can bring.

Divine, Hackney Community Transport and Sunderland Homecare Associates show that the social enterprise model, blending financial and social incentives, has the potential radically to shift our understanding of what can be achieved when doing business and when delivering public services. We are committed to ensuring the conditions are right for this exciting new movement to thrive.

Campbell Robb is director-general of the Office of the Third Sector and chair of the Enterprising Solutions Awards judging panel

Public Agenda is the media partner for the Enterprising Solutions Awards 2008, which is organised by the Social Enterprise Coalition. For further information, please go to www.enterprisingsolutions.org

Times Recommends

• Lies and cover-up at MG Rover exposed by report
• High oil prices push manufacturing costs up
• Primark founder steps down as chief executive