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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 online now at www.ashdenawards.org. 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.

• prize money of up to £40,000;
• the chance for winners to bring their sustainable energy solutions into the international arena;
• continuing development support; and
• a documentary film about the award-winning work.

• 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 people's lives, both socially and economically; and
• 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.

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.