Green Energy Awards: UK entries needed by 28 October 2008

With the deadline approaching for submission of Expressions of Interest for the next Ashden Awards, we are getting in touch to remind you that we are seeking inspirational and innovative local sustainable energy projects run by local authorities, businesses, and charities/community organisations. We would be grateful if you would circulate the information to potential applicants and e-lists, and post it on websites where appropriate.

Entry is free, and winners in the three categories will receive £30,000 each in prize money for project development, with a second prize of £15,000. There is also a special category for schools. The Awards will be presented at a VIP ceremony in London in June 2009. Applications forms are online at http://www.ashdenawards.org/uk_awards. Please find more information below.

PR and Marketing, The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy
ilana.cravitz@ashdenawards.org www.ashdenawards.org
Tel: + 44 (0)208 985 3724  Mobile: + 44 (0)782 551 0881

Benefits of winning an Ashden Award include:

• Prize money of up to £30,000 per project; up to £15,000 for schools.
• The chance to bring your sustainable energy solutions into the international arena.

• Continuing development support where appropriate.
• Engagement with key decision-makers in the sector.
• A documentary film about your award-winning work.
• Media exposure.

What does it take to be a winner?

The projects must:

• Be up and running, delivering sustainable energy at a local level for at least one year.
• Benefit the environment.
• Be technically rigorous.
• Have an element of innovation.
• Make a genuine difference to local peoples’ lives, both socially and economically.
• Be replicable and help encourage the widespread uptake of local, sustainable energy.

The ‘scheme’ submitted for an award may be the entire work of an organisation or a specific part of the work. Eligible schemes must involve the delivery of sustainable energy at a local level and scale. ‘Sustainable energy’ covers both renewable energy supply (electricity or heat) and reduction of energy demand.

Examples of past winners

Details of the 2008 UK winners, including short films about their work, are online at http://www.ashdenawards.org/UK_winners_2008. Visit www.ashdenawards.org for more information.

Supporters of the Awards include Ashden Awards Patron HRH The Prince of Wales, Prof. Wangari Maathai, former US Vice-President Al Gore, and Jonathan Porritt CBE.

UK Award categories

(a)        Energy Business Awards

For businesses that have made local renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services more accessible. Previous winners include Kensa (2008), Ecotricity (2007), Solarcentury (2007), Good Energy (2006) and Second Nature (2005) have shown the type of entrepreneurial achievement which this Award recognises. First prize: £30,000. Second prize: £15,000.

(b)       Local Authority Awards

This award is for Local Authorities that have undertaken effective initiatives and programmes to improve energy efficiency and/or increase the supply of local renewable energy (heat and electricity), and also promoted the wider use of sustainable energy through local planning and policies. Previous winners include Leeds CC (2008), Nottinghamshire CC (2007), Barnsley MBC (2006) and Kirklees MBC (2006). First prize: £30,000. Second prize: £15,000.

(c)        Charity and Community Awards

For not-for-profit groups, such as Energy Agencies and charities, which have carried out projects or programmes to reduce energy demand and/or increase the supply of renewable energy (heat and electricity) at a local level. Previous winners include Global Action Plan (2008), ENWORKS (2007), Severn Wye Energy Agency (2006) and Community Energy Plus (2005). First prize: £30,000. Second prize: £15,000.

(d)       Schools Awards

This Award is open to any UK school providing education for pupils aged between 5 and 16 which has developed both an ethos and practice of sustainability, in which the responsible use of energy is a key component. We’re looking for schools that can demonstrate they’ve made actual energy savings, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and possibly generated renewable energy.The 2008 award was won by Ringmer Community College, in East Sussex. The Schools Award carries a first prize of £15,000 and two second prizes of £7,500.

Timetable for the Ashden Awards 2009