Community organisations and individual volunteers make a huge contribution to lives across North Yorkshire. Helping us deliver critical services and providing social networks which reduce isolation and empower 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 doing 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 2023
The 2023 awards are now open for nominations. Nominations close on 11 June 2023.
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 2023 North Yorkshire Community Awards:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Best community group | Awarded to groups carrying out ongoing voluntary activity / activities in North Yorkshire. |
| Volunteer of the year | Awarded to individual volunteers carrying out voluntary activity / activities in North Yorkshire. |
| Caring for the environment | Awarded to groups who have demonstrated a commitment to delivering community based initiatives that protect, restore and enhance our natural environment, helping to tackle the causes and impacts of climate change or supporting nature to thrive. |
Eligibility requirements
The criteria for the community awards scheme are:
- projects or activities that have taken place or been completed from 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023
- 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 volunteer in the North Yorkshire Council boundaries in the area of work for which they are nominated
- volunteers of all ages are eligible for nomination
- self-nominations will be accepted
Winners and runners up may not be considered for award in the same category in the following three years.
Judging criteria
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
- helped get people involved and inspired others
The decision of the awards panel is final and the panel reserves the right not to make awards if there are no eligible nominations.
View the terms and conditions for the community awards.
Make a nomination
Make a nomination – Best Community Group
Make a nomination - Volunteer of the year
Make a nomination - Caring for the environment
View the nomination questions before filling in the nomination form.
If you have any queries, please email communityawards@northyorks.gov.uk.