Community Awards

Who is eligible for the individual awards? 

Volunteering takes many different forms and whatever form it takes, volunteering is an active, deliberate pursuit. Each volunteer chooses an activity they want to do, motivated by the difference they want to make, and how this shapes their community where they live.

Eligibility for the individual awards are for individuals who carry out activities that are designed to improve or support residents of the Harborough district; which is their own free choice as an individual; and without being paid (other than out of pocket expenses). 

People may consider themselves to be a volunteer, or they may think of themselves as ‘helping out’, ‘being neighbourly’, ‘taking part in my community or faith group’, ‘supporting a cause’, undertaking ‘social action’ or another term. 

What organiations are eligible for the voluntary or community awards?

The voluntary and community organisations sit outside of the public and private sectors to focus exclusively on creating social impact and community change.  They can also be known as:

• the not-for-profit sector.
• the non-profit sector.
• the community sector.
• civil society.

As its name implies, the voluntary and community organisation are largely fueled by the efforts of volunteers who work together to achieve common goals, as well as donations and other forms of monetary contributions, such as grants and fundraising.  To be nominated for the Voluntary and Community Group of the year, they will need to be constituted organisation and hold a bank account in the name of the organisation.

Nomination rules 

1. The permission of the potential nominee must be sought before you submit a nomination. 
2. Self-nominations are only permitted if explicitly stated for an award. 
3. Harborough District Council's staff and Councillors cannot be nominated, although they can nominate.
4. Nominees will need to agree to being put forward for the shortlist before their names are submitted to the panel. 
5. By submitting a nomination, nominators and nominees' consent to the collection, storage, and processing of personal data in accordance with Harborough District Council's privacy policy and applicable data protection laws.  
6. You can nominate an individual and/or organisation only once, although you can make more than one nomination for different individuals and/or groups.  We may ask you for more information about the nominee to make a shortlisting decision. 
7. The Council may decide that a nominee is more appropriate for a different category than the one they have been put forward for. 
8. Harborough District Council will decide which nominees are put forward for shortlisting and will have final approval of the panel decision. 
9. A winner and a runner up will be selected in each category where possible, although the Council reserves the right to change categories or not to select a winner and/or runner up in all or some categories. 
10. By accepting the award, the winner and runner up agree to participate in reasonable publicity related to the awards such as on the Council website and in local and social media. 
11. Decisions made are final and there will be no appeal process. 
12. Winners and runners-up can choose to donate their winnings to a charity or vountary/community organisation.
13. Nominations received after the closing date will not be considered.
14. Nominations must be submitted using the nomination form - any other form of nomination such as email, will not be considered.  If you are not able to access the form or need assistance, please email communityawards@harborough.gov.uk