Cash up for grabs with The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy

The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy are seeking entries from inspirational and innovative sustainable energy projects around the world. There are 15 Awards to be won (eight in the UK and seven internationally), and entry is free. The Awards will be presented at a VIP ceremony in London in June 2009.

'The Ashden Awards bring to light inspiring sustainable energy solutions in the UK and developing world and help ensure that they are spread more widely. From an entrepreneur rolling out solar power across rural India to a school adopting clean energy and green learning in England, our winners are passionate about bringing change to their communities and the planet. But our awards are not just about handing over a prize: they're part of a broader process that's designed to last - sharing knowledge, passing on experience and offering advice and support where it's wanted. Throughout the year we hold up our winners as shining examples of green energy in practice. We bring them to a wider audience through the international media, seminars and presentations and we introduce them to influential people and organisations to help change their thinking and policy.'

Application forms are online now at www.ashdenawards.org

Analysis of 10 previous Ashden Award-winning schemes showed that in 2008 they are reaching nine million people and saving 1.9 million tonnes of carbon emissions - equivalent to the total domestic emissions of more than 700,000 UK citizens.

Deadline for UK expressions of interest (business, charity, local authority): 28 October 2008
Deadline for international expressions of interest: 21 October 2008
Deadline for UK schools applications: 2 December 2008

In the UK, the Ashden Awards is seeking schemes run by local authorities, businesses, and charities/community organisations (including Energy Agencies). Winners in these four 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. A ‘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.

Internationally, the Ashden Awards are looking for local sustainable energy projects based in countries with developing economies. Past winners have used various technologies to deliver a number of benefits to local communities and achieve carbon savings, including fuel-efficient stoves, micro-hydro plants, biogas plants, solar energy systems (see photo) and water pumps. Many are doing this by boosting local peoples' income, providing employment or training, installing lighting for schoolwork and even improving women's status in their community.

Benefits of winning an Ashden Award include:
• Prize money of up to £40,000 per project.
• The chance to bring sustainable energy solutions into the international arena.
• Continuing development support.
• Engagement with key decision-makers in the sector.
• A documentary film about the award-winning work.
• International publicity.

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.

For further information and application forms visit www.ashdenawards.org , or contact Jane Howarth tel. 020 7410 7023. Email: info@ashdenawards.org

Examples of past winners, including short films about their work, are online at http://www.ashdenawards.org

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.

Editor's Note - Please look at the wonderful schemes that have won in the past; they are inspiring, some are awe-inspiring, and I have to admit to being unaware of the awards and their work until I came across an article in 'Developments', a brilliant magazine available free from DFID, the Department for International Development. Just sign up at their website www.developments.org.uk .There are some fabulous resources available and full case studies of all the winners on the Ashden site.

Source: Ashden Awards

Picture: (c) Ashden Awards 2008 - Boys and solar module, Caoduo school, Rongbo, Yu Shu, China