The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy are seeking entries from inspirational and innovative local sustainable energy projects from Asia, Africa and Latin America to compete for a share of £160,000 in prize money.

The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy are seeking entries from inspirational and innovative local sustainable energy projects from Asia, Africa and Latin America to compete for a share of £160,000 in prize money.

We are interested in initiatives that have radically improved the lives of local communities and can demonstrate significant environmental benefits through the use of renewable energy and/or energy saving measures.

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.

We will reward existing achievements and provide funding for future expansion. Award-winning schemes must have been consistently successful for at least one year with plans for further expansion. Schemes must also be highly replicable to ensure maximum impact in the battle against climate change.

In 2008 we will be offering up to six international awards of £20,000 and a Gold award of £40,000

Award winners are promoted in the global media and to practitioners and experts in the field as leading examples of sustainable energy in action at the local level. In this way Award winners receive international acclaim and recognition for their work.

"Winning an Award changed our lives - from a small group of solar idealists in a small corner of rural South India we became stars of the solar energy world," said Hemant Lamba, Aurore, India, Ashden Award winner

The Awards will be presented at a VIP ceremony in London in June 2008. Former US President Al Gore, who presented the prizes in 2007, commented: "No-one can attend an event like the Ashden Awards and fail to be inspired. What impresses me most about these projects is they truly are becoming the change that's needed in the world. These awards tell us how to illuminate the path to a sustainable future together. I hope that we can make it quickly."