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17c�����Ƶ has been announced as the NatWest SE100 Impact Champion of 2020.

The NatWest SE100 celebrates the growth, impact and resilience of social ventures in the UK – by naming the most impressive 100 social enterprises of the year in a top 100 Index, and giving eight SE100 Social Business Awards for the most outstanding achievers.

Patricia Alexander, Managing Director at 17c�����Ƶ, said: “Being named as an Impact Management Champion is a fantastic achievement as it is an acknowledgment of our commitment to providing much needed finance, and supporting communities in the world that need it most.  We are delighted to receive this recognition at a time when our social impact is even more significant.

“Last year, our financial services had an impact on almost 400,000 people, with 70% of our finance going directly to producers. However, for every farmer or handcraft maker we are able to help, there are dozens in great need of finance, and even more so in light of the current crisis.

“Our members are incredibly loyal, and have continued to support us as the world enters an extremely challenging time. We are actually seeing our investment increase, which is vital so that we can continue to carry out our mission of reaching those smaller vulnerable groups who are otherwise unable to access finance.”

Megan Peat, CEO of NatWest Social & Community Capital, said: “Congratulations to all the social enterprises who have made it onto this year's SE100 list. In such incredibly tough times, when we know many will be facing some significant challenges, it's important to recognise the incredible dedication and effort that the UK's social enterprises have shown in building business solutions to deliver a positive future for some of our most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.”

Simone van Klaveren, Partnerships & Social Impact Manager at Pioneers Post - and project lead for the NatWest SE100 – said: “Our expert judges were blown away by the impactful work being done by the final ten winners of this year’s SE100 Social Business Awards run by NatWest in partnership with Pioneers Post magazine.

“The final ten were selected from nearly 300 applicants – in eight different categories including Growth, Leadership and Impact Management.

“Although our awards evening couldn't take place as usual this year, we hope that the recognition will bring them all some positive news to be proud of.”