NIHE: Rural Community Awards
Overview
There are three categories. These are open to all rural neighbourhoods, not just Housing Executive estates. Within each category there are two prizes of £1000, one for villages with a population of less than 1,000 and one for populations of 1,000-5,000. Prize money should be used to support and extend activities/projects which benefit the rural community.
Community groups can enter either one, two or all three categories. Initial assessment will be based on the information included in the entry form but groups are also encouraged to submit supporting information such as photos, newspaper clippings or any other evidence of community activity.
So if you have an active community group, and are proud of your local neighbourhood then why not make an entry
1) Cleaner and Greener Rural Community Award
The aim of this award is to encourage and celebrate the effort which is made by rural communities to improve the outlook of their settlement. Consideration will be given to activities such as: litter pick-ups, painting/ maintenance of buildings, street planting and community gardens. Applicants will also be scored on any environmental activities which they have undertaken such as recycling, reducing waste etc.
2) Rural Community Spirit Award
The aim of this award is to focus on and reward those communities who work together to make their village or small settlement a better place to live. Consideration will be given to any aspect of community work which has been undertaken to improve the quality of life of residents with particular emphasis on facilities, services and activities which have been made available for specific groups within the community eg elderly people, young people, ethnic minorities etc. Recognition will be given to any initiatives which contribute to the improvement of health and well-being and to initiatives which aim to increase access and safety within communities.
3) Sustainable Village of the Year Award
The aim of this overarching award is to acknowledge and celebrate the vital contributions made by a community who has gone ‘above and beyond’ to help make their village a better place to live through developing and engaging residents in activities to encourage environmental, social and economic sustainability.
In order to be eligible to apply for this award, the community group must have made an application for both the Cleaner and Greener Award and the Community Spirit Award and also provide a short written 500 word account of why they think they should win the overarching award.
Eligibility Criteria
The Housing Executive Rural Community Awards are open to all community groups, residents groups, voluntary groups or other groups having a constitution and acting in the interest of a rural settlement (as defined by NISRA - (see full guidance notes) providing that they meet the following criteria:
- They must be properly constituted and provide evidence of a constitution/articles of association;
- They must operate on a not-for-profit basis;
- They must demonstrate appropriate financial management ie manage finance through a bank account specifically in the name of the group.
The competition is all about recognising your village as a whole and so consideration will only be given to one application per village. If there is more than one group operating within the village then they suggest that a collective application is made.