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Strong Local Voice, Strong Local ChampionAnnette Brooke, Lib Dem MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole |
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Annette Brooke MP challenges groups in Mid Dorset and North Poole to think green
February 19, 2008 12:00 AM
Annette Brooke MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole has today pledged support for the Big Green Challenge, a £1 million competition from the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) to encourage people across the UK to work together to tackle climate change.
Designed to develop home-grown ideas into UK-wide carbon-cutting initiatives, the Big Green Challenge is open to groups of people and not-for-profit organisations of all shapes and sizes who can think of new ways to reduce the carbon emissions of a community.
With applications for the Challenge open until the 29th February 2008, Annette Brooke MP is keen to encourage local groups from Mid Dorset and North Poole to put forward their green ideas to be in with a chance of winning a share of the £1m prize fund on offer.
Commenting on the Challenge, Annette Brooke MP said:
"I would like to personally encourage groups in Mid Dorset and North Poole to put their heads together and come up with some ideas for a chance to win substantial funding to help improve our local environment. I am confident Mid Dorset and North Poole can come up with the kind of great ideas that could have a real impact on climate change not just locally but across the UK."
Application forms are available online at www.biggreenchallenge.org.uk
In March, NESTA will select up to 100 groups and provide them with support to work up their ideas in more detail. These competitors will then be whittled down to a short list of ten finalists, each of whom will receive £20,000, mentoring and support to put their ideas into practice over a year.
The group with the most imaginative and successful approach at the end of the competition will win the biggest share of £1 million. The money will be spent on projects that benefit the community.
Those interested in taking part in the Big Green Challenge should go to www.biggreenchallenge.org.uk to find out more and submit an application form.
Additional information:
To find out more about applying to the Big Green Challenge by post or phone, groups can write to UnLtd, the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs, which is working with NESTA to help run the Big Green Challenge at: UnLtd, 123 Whitecross Street, Islington, London EC1Y 8JJ, or call them on 0845 850 1122.
About the Big Green Challenge
Applications for the £1 million Big Green Challenge are open from now until the end of February, when NESTA and a panel of experts will whittle entries down first to the 100 strongest and then the 10 best ideas. Finalists will then be given a year to put their ideas into practice, with financial support and advice from NESTA. The group with the most imaginative - and proven - approach at the end of the competition will win the lion's share of the million pounds up for grabs.
Who can enter?
Those eligible to enter include groups that are already formed, such as a local branch of the Scouts or a Parent Teacher Association, new groups made up of those with a common interest, or those led by a not-for-profit organisation, such as a charity.
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