Have you entered this year’s Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence yet? There are 16 award categories and in this article we focus on the Isle of Man Government award for Freedom to Flourish.

This award category is open to any organisation, large or small, from business, the public sector, charities, or voluntary organisations. It is awarded for the best interpretation and delivery of the Isle of Man’s Freedom to Flourish strategy.

This strategy is intended to enhance the island’s national identity at home and abroad and is rooted in the Freedom to Flourish promise:

’The Isle of Man is a land of possibility where people and businesses will find the right environment in which to reach their full potential, whatever they feel that might be.’

So how to interpret that in terms of an awards entry? The scope is wide and this category always attracts a diverse range of entries.

Last year’s winners, Derivco, since relocating to the island in 2012, doubled its staff to employ a 43% local workforce. They also provided staff development and worked with government to help promote and encourage the IT skills the island needs.

One of the finalists last year, Rally Isle of Man, is an organisation run by volunteers whose innovative ideas have kept this premium event fresh and popular, helping to boost the island’s economy. The other finalist was The Isle of Man Business Network, formerly Junior Chamber of Commerce, which is also run by volunteers.

The judges said: ’They are very pro the Isle of Man and its achievements and are keen on enabling it to prosper.’

The winners of the award in 2015 were Manx Breast Cancer Support, the charity which has raised the funds to build the island’s state of the art Manx Breast Unit.

Julie Stokes from the charity recalled: ’To win the Freedom to Flourish award was amazing. When our name was announced we had a standing ovation - people standing up and clapping us.

’We were so over the moon - I’ll never forget that night!’

Can you or your business identify with the Freedom to Flourish values? Showcase your achievements by entering this year’s Awards for Excellence. You can find details of all 16 award categories and download entry forms at www.excellence-awards.im. Entries close on Wednesday, September 20.

So how to interpret that in terms of an awards entry? The scope is wide and this category always attracts a diverse range of entries.