Community organisations and individual volunteers make a huge contribution to lives across North Yorkshire. Aiding the council in delivering critical services and providing social networks which reduce isolation and enable people to live independently for longer.
They help to deliver a wide range of critical services, from organising luncheon clubs and helping in schools, running cultural and social events, walking dogs and going shopping for elderly neighbours, helping out at cub scout and brownie guide groups, managing animal shelters and community libraries, and so much more.
Community awards 2024
The 2024 awards are now open for nominations. Nominations close on 14 July 2024.
The winner of each category will be awarded £1,000 for the relevant project, group or nominated relevant local charity in the case of the volunteer awards. Two runners-up in each category will receive £250.
Details on how to nominate can be found in the nominations section below.
Nomination categories
There are three categories for the 2024 North Yorkshire Community Awards:
Best community group
Awarded to groups carrying out ongoing voluntary activity/activities in North Yorkshire.
Best community project
Awarded to community groups who have delivered projects utilising local community assets to support their community and/or improve the local area. For example, holding arts festivals, developing a community garden.
Lifetime achievement in volunteering
Awarded to individual volunteers who been volunteering for 20 years or more to the benefit of the community.
Eligibility requirements
The criteria for the community awards scheme are:
- projects or activities that have taken place or been completed between 1 May 2023 to 30 April 2024
- nominations in all categories must have had a positive impact on people living in the North Yorkshire Council area
- nominated community groups must be constituted, not for profit and operate in the North Yorkshire Council area
- community groups may be a branch of, or affiliated to, a larger regional or national organisation, as long as the volunteers started and developed the initiative for the activity locally, and the group’s achievements go beyond what is expected of similar groups in the wider organisation’s network
- nominated individuals must currently volunteer in the North Yorkshire Council area
- self-nominations will be accepted
Winners and runners-up may not be considered for award in the same category in the following three years.
Eligibility requirements
All nominations are judged on how the individual, organisation or project has:
- tackled issues that affect people living in North Yorkshire
- made a difference to their community; and
- helped get people involved and inspired others
View the terms and conditions for the community awards here
Make a nomination
Best community group nomination form
Best community project nomination form
Lifetime achievement in volunteering nomination form
If you have any queries, please email communityawards@northyorks.gov.uk