The South East Community Empowerment Awards offer you the chance to win up to £7000 to support your activities. The award scheme is being organized to encourage and reward the dedication and enthusiasm of local people, voluntary organisations or community groups who have worked with their local councils, the policy or health authorities (since 2007) to improve their community and its services and who will continue to influence decision making in the future.

Example of projects that could apply:

• Are you an active group working to improve your community and the service it receives?
• Have you worked together with a local authority in Berkshire* to influence and improve decisions about your community and its services?
• Have you been involved in decisions about how local buildings are used within your community?
• Have you worked with the Police to help tackle crime in your area?

Any community organisation or groups who would like to take part should complete the Application Form (below) and submit it to admin@ccberks.org.uk by 29th October 2010. Further information and the criteria for applications can be found in the application pack (also below).

The Awards will be judged in 2 stages, first locally and then regionally.

The local awards will be judged by a panel of local representatives from local authorities across Berkshire. All organisations/groups winning a local award will receive a prize to support their activies, a plaque identifying them as a Local Empowerment Champion and local, regional and national recognition for their project.

Berkshire (excluding Reading Borough*)Awards:

1st Place - £2000

2nd Place - £1,500

3rd Place- £1,000

2 x Runners up - £250 each

The Berkshire winner will receive not only the £2000 cash prize but will also be automatically entered into the regional awards with a chance to win the first place prize of £5000!

* Please note Reading Borough is running a separate programme for groups/organisations within the borough. Further information about this can be found by clicking here.