THE ENACTUS CRITERION

The criterion isn’t just a project blueprint; it's also the single standard by which judges globally evaluate teams at national and global competitions. Understanding the Enactus Framework therefore is essential for Enactus teams. It's a strategic tool that helps teams develop impactful projects and contribute meaningfully to a brighter future for all.

The Enactus Criterion is…

Which Enactus team most effectively demonstrated entrepreneurial leadership to drive business and innovation for sustainable positive impact to benefit people, planet, and prosperity within the last year?

This is the same criterion that is used globally by more than 2500 Enactus teams and 1000’s of Enactus projects and ensures everyone is working towards the same global mission of creating a better more sustainable world for us all.

What is the Enactus Criterion?

What is the Enactus Criterion?

The Enactus criterion is the same criterion used by Enactus teams across the world. The single most important question to guide you in developing your projects is…

Which Enactus team most effectively demonstrated entrepreneurial leadership to drive business and innovation for sustainable positive impact to benefit people, planet, and prosperity within the last year?

The Enactus Framework is built on four key pillars:

  • Entrepreneurial Leadership

  • Innovation

  • Business Principles

  • Sustainable Positive Impact.

    A successful Enactus project requires a strong balance across all these areas.

You can break out the criterion points into further detail…

Entrepreneurial Leadership:

  • Identifying Needs: Clearly define the problem your project addresses.

  • Taking Initiative: Demonstrate proactive problem-solving and risk-taking.

  • Managing Change: Show adaptability and resilience in a dynamic environment.

A project that has done this successfully is Labres Hope from Enactus Sheffield:
Labre’s Hope is an Enactus project that graduated into a UK-based social enterprise empowering individuals experiencing homelessness (or at risk of it) by employing them to craft luxury, ethical self-care products like soap and candles. Through a three-tiered approach in collaboration with partners like Crisis UK, SYHA, and Shelter, beneficiaries gain employment and engage in weekly career coaching and mental health sessions, enabling them to "handcraft their own success" and regain stability. Since it’s launch in February 2022, Labre’s Hope has helped over 28 people in accessing employment and coaching! The proceeds from soap sales are used to pay fair wages to current beneficiaries and to help provide essential support for their reintegration back into mainstream society, equipping them with resources needed to achieve their dreams and build their futures!

Innovation:

  • Introducing New Ideas: Propose creative and original solutions.

  • Improving Existing Approaches: Enhance existing methods or products.

  • Adaptability and Flexibility: Demonstrate flexibility in the face of challenges or additional needs.

A project that has done this successfully is Crycle from Enactus Australia:

Cyrcle, a pioneering textile transformation startup founded by Enactus Monash (Australia), aims to address the core issue of end-of-life textiles by converting them into valuable raw materials. In collaboration with the BioPRIA Institute, a chemical engineering centre at their university, they have developed C-Plast, an innovative solution that converts cotton/poly-cotton blend textiles into biodegradable plastic through three simple steps: dissolving, regenerating, and bioplastic production. They achieve this by combining textiles with an eco-friendly and reusable ionic liquid, which effectively breaks down and dissolves the fibres.

In the case of mixed blend fabrics, the polyester remains undissolved and can be recycled, allowing them to target approximately 75% of all textile waste. The resulting mixture is then manipulated under various conditions to regenerate it, creating a new structure suitable for the production of Cellulose Bioplastic (C-Plast). This bioplastic serves as a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics, forming a 'closed loop' solution as it is fully recyclable and 100% biodegradable.

Business Principles:

  • Sound Business Model: Develop a sustainable and profitable business plan.

  • Effective Implementation: Execute your project efficiently and effectively.

  • Financial Sustainability: Ensure the project's long-term financial viability.

A project that has demonstrated business principles successfully is Future Brew by Enactus Southampton

Future Brew, founded by Dimitris-Marios Stoidis, an engineering student at the University of Southampton, is an innovative startup transforming leftover supermarket bread into craft beer. Through this approach, the company addresses food waste while offering a high-quality, eco-conscious product for the market—a clear demonstration of a sound and sustainable business model. With a mission to offset over one million kilograms of carbon dioxide, Future Brew’s operations contribute to environmental sustainability and position the brand as a climate-positive player in the industry.

Dimitris secured a £20,000 investment through a pitch to angel investors at the Future Worlds Dragons' Den event, reflecting a strong implementation strategy and a valuation of £200,000. Future Brew has already expanded into the university’s student bar and launched its “Dough Dough” pale ale in September, establishing a presence in the local market and building traction through strategic partnerships. This effective execution allows Future Brew to rapidly scale while making a measurable environmental impact.

The startup’s financial sustainability is further supported by its community-oriented initiatives, redistributing surplus ingredients to homeless shelters and community shops, and aiming to make the brand financially self-sustaining with planned expansion into larger retail outlets across the UK. This new funding will enable Future Brew to upscale production and distribution, creating even greater environmental and social impact while ensuring long-term financial viability in a growing market for sustainable products.

Sustainable Positive Impact

  • Addressing Needs: Demonstrate a clear connection between your project and the target community's needs.

  • Measuring Impact: Quantify the positive outcomes of your project.

  • Sustainability: Ensure the project's long-term benefits and minimal negative environmental impact. 

A project that has demonstrated a sustainable positive impact on people, the planet and prosperity is Foodprint (This was a Final Four Project in 2022)

Foodprint is a social enterprise in Sneinton, Nottingham, dedicated to combating food poverty and waste. Established in 2017 by Enactus Nottingham and now operating as a subsidiary of Himmah Charity. Foodprint runs a social supermarket and a redistribution network, addressing community needs by providing access to affordable food, especially fresh fruits and vegetables.

This initiative has a sustainable positive impact by addressing pressing community needs and expanding food access. Through partnerships with school breakfast clubs, food banks, and other local organizations, Foodprint directly supports those facing food insecurity, ensuring vulnerable groups receive the nutrition they need.

The project's impact is measurable and impressive, successfully reducing food waste while providing low-cost, nutritious food options to Nottingham’s community. With their recent addition, Foodprint on Wheels, the organization now delivers surplus food directly to communities in need, expanding its reach with the support of the National Lottery Community Fund and donations from the University of Nottingham’s alumni network.

Foodprint’s model emphasizes long-term sustainability by reducing food waste, redistributing resources effectively, and creating ongoing access to essential food items. This minimizes negative environmental impacts, ensuring Foodprint not only meets immediate needs but also creates a viable, enduring solution for Nottingham's food insecurity.

Steps to Using the Criterion

  • Be Specific - Identify the exact needs of your target community. The more specific, the better as this demonstrates that you truly understand the needs of the area you are working with.

  • Think Differently - Create a project that not only addresses the needs but also incorporates innovative elements, whether by adapting existing solutions or developing something entirely new. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel – but try and do something unique!

  • Make it last - From the outset, consider how your project will be financially sustainable. While impact is paramount, demonstrating a long-term plan that minimises reliance on grants and donations is crucial.

  • Be Aligned: Continuously refer to the Enactus Criterion to ensure your project stays on track. It's easy to lose sight of the criterion as your project develops and only refer to it when preparing for nationals. By this point it’s too late!