Global green energy awards announces calls for entries

The world’s leading green energy awards scheme is seeking entries for its 2013 Awards. The Ashden Awards uncover the most exciting sustainable energy enterprises from across the globe which are leading the way in increasing the poor’s access to energy and tackling climate change.  Entry to the awards is free, with up to five winners to receive cash prizes of up to £40,000 at a prestigious ceremony in London in June 2013.

As well as the prize money, Ashden also offers a package of benefits including tailored support to help organisations scale up; a global platform to promote your work; national media exposure; a short film about your work as well as introductions to policymakers, potential funders and investors.

This year they are offering awards for:

• Sustainable energy that helps reduce deforestation in tropical forests.
• Innovative financial mechanisms for sustainable energy.
• Increasing access to sustainable energy.
• Sustainable energy in humanitarian aid or reconstruction programmes.

This year’s International Gold Award winner was the Indian microfinance organisation Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) for showing how ethically managed microfinance can deliver sustainable energy to the poor.

Dr. LH Manjunath, Executive Director of SKDRDP said:

The award itself greatly enhanced our self-esteem and confidence.  In India a great deal of importance is attached to the prestigious Ashden Awards, which you can see from the publicity we got. Back home, the people of Dharmasthala and staff of SKDRDP are all quite excited and have developed a new understanding of the energy for poor issues.

The four other international Ashden Award winners this year were: GIZ/INTEGRATION (Afghanistan); iDE/Hydrologic (Cambodia), IBEKA (Indonesia) and Barefoot Power (Africa).

 Entry for the Awards is free and the closing date for applications is 23 October 2012.

For further information and to apply for a 2013 Award click here  or contact: Jane Howarth| tel: + 44 (0)20 7410 7023 | email: info@ashden.org

For media enquiries or stories about past winners contact Carla Jones | email: carla.jones@ashden.org | tel: + 44 (0)20 7410 7068 | mobile: +44 (0)7795 039485

About the Award:
The Ashden Awards were set up in 2001 to champion practical, local energy solutions that cut carbon, protect the environment, reduce poverty and improve people’s lives. Since then they have rewarded and supported more than 140 winners across the UK and the developing world. For further information, including photos, films, and case studies on past winners, go to www.ashden.org