Criteria for the Countryside Awards 2023

The Grassroots Action Award

• Immediately relevant to a local area or community.
• Shows initiative in identifying and addressing any issue related to the countryside.
• Takes place within a rural or urban environment.
• Demonstrates a high level of involvement from the local or immediate community. 
• ‘Hands on’ – involves a practical application. This could be researching and investigating a problem.
• Makes a contribution to the future local community.
• Uses ‘citizen science’, specialist knowledge or other original approaches.
• The project can address a number of issues or it can be single topic.
• Connects local green or wild spaces.

The Landscape Award

Sponsored by:

• Protection, creation or conservation of vital habitats and natural resources such as wetland, hedgerows, woods, ponds, wildflowers and nature reserves.
• Managing landscape areas to enhance biodiversity.
• Introducing the countryside to urban areas for public benefit, such as community gardens, wildflower areas or nature reserves.
• Preservation of tranquillity.
• Addresses any blight on our landscape such as fly-tipping or night light.
• Repurposing of derelict or other land.
• Sensitive to local ecology.
• Addresses detrimental farming practices and introduces innovative new approaches.
• Reduces negative impacts on the environment.
• Has longevity and flexibility to meet future needs.

The Environmental Education Award

• Helps educate and raise awareness of countryside issues.
• Uses landscape, environmental and rural issues as an opportunity for learning.
• Inspires and connects young people to the countryside and promotes its value.
• Teaches people about why the countryside is important.
• Incentivises learning and careers in the countryside.
• Formal scientific study or research.
• Interactive education experiences with an element of fun and enjoyment.
• Creates champions to carry on the countryside legacy in the future. 

The Sustainable Communities Award

Sponsored by:

• Sustainable design of buildings or landscape in a rural or urban area.
• Use of materials or construction techniques sought to minimise impact on the environment.
• Sensitivity to environmental impact by good use of design.
• Considerate siting and/or location. Eg, regeneration of an old building, sympathetic to landscape or conversion and new use.
• Use of local, rural skills and employment or created apprenticeship schemes.
• Incorporates energy conservation and reduces carbon footprint.
• Promotes locally made products.
• Consideration of transport, eg, utilising existing public transport, home-working and/or proximity to amenities.
• Affordable.
• Flexible to meet future needs.
• Connecting the countryside to an urban area. Eg, a park or rooftop garden.
• Promotes local employment.
• Of long term benefit to the community.