Seeking inspirational and innovative local sustainable energy projects based in developing countries. Entry is free, and up to 7 winners will receive £20,000 each in prize money for project development, with one Energy Champion awarded £40,000 Press Release 23 July 2008
Global Green Energy Awards: international entries needed by 21 October 2008
The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy are seeking inspirational and innovative local sustainable energy projects based in countries with developing economies. Entry is free, and up to seven winners will receive £20,000 each in prize money for project development, with one Energy Champion awarded £40,000. The Awards will be presented at a VIP ceremony in London in June 2009. Application forms are available online now.
An analysis of 10 previous international 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.
Benefits of winning an international Ashden Award include: - Prize money of up to £40,000.
- The chance for winners to bring their sustainable energy solutions into the international arena.
- Continuing development support.
- A documentary film about the award-winning work.
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.
Awards are given for the service to communities provided by the use of sustainable energy, rather than for the technology used. Award-winning work will provide services in one or more of the following areas: food security; health, education and welfare; light and power for homes and businesses; enterprise.
For further information and application forms visit www.ashdenawards.org or contact Jane Howarth tel. + 44 (0)20 7410 7023. Email: info@...
Examples of past winners
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 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. Details of the 2008 International winners, including short films about their work, are online at www.ashdenawards.org/international_winners_2008
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.
ENDS
For further information and stories about previous winners, contact Ilana Cravitz on ilana.cravitz@...;
tel. +44 (0)20 8985 3724; mobile +44 (0) 782 551 0881.
Notes for Editors
1) The Ashden Awards are a UK-based charity (Reg. No. 1104153) working to increase the use of local sustainable energy worldwide. They find, reward and publicise the work of leading sustainable energy programmes working across the developing world and in the UK. Further information, including details on past winners, funders and supporters is at www.ashdenawards.org.
2) Research commissioned by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) found that 10 programmes achieved significant scale and deliver significant benefits for people and the environment. The report, “Scaling Up Low Carbon Energy for the Poor”, is online at www.ashdenawards.org/reports/low_carbon_energy. The review was carried out by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) in collaboration with GVEP International.
3) Timetable for the international Ashden Awards 2009: - Tuesday 21 October 2008 - Deadline for receipt of Expression of Interest forms. All forms will be acknowledged within seven days.
- Thursday 13 November 2008 - Up to 25 applicants will be invited to submit a full application, and will be sent a form and specific questions. All other Expression of Interest applicants will be notified.
- Thursday 11 December 2008 - Deadline for receipt of full applications. All applications will be acknowledged within seven days.
- Tuesday 6 January 2009 - Deadline for receipt of references for full applications.
- Early February 2009 - First meeting of International judging panel to select about 10 applications for shortlist. All other full applicants will be notified.
- February and March 2009 - Judges and assessors visit short-listed applicants.
- Early April 2009 - Second meeting of International judging panel to select up to eight finalists. All other short-listed applicants will be notified.
- April and May 2009 - Preparation of publicity and technical information about finalists.
- Mid June 2009 - Finalists to London for interviews, Awards ceremony, seminars and publicity activities.
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