In collaboration with Coventry Partnership & Coventry Ethnic Minority Action Partnership, the Coventry Community Cohesion Awards celebrate activities which have contributed to building cohesive communities and recognise the significant contributions that they make towards cohesion in the city.

They are looking for ways in which you can practically demonstrate how you have achieved community cohesion across different communities, groups, faiths, age groups, people from different backgrounds, ethnicity, disabilities, and identify what difficulties you have faced and how you have overcome the difficulties successfully.

Your activity should support their vision of an integrated and cohesive community based on at least one of the following ways of living together:

• A shared future and sense of belonging
• A focus on what new and existing communities have in common, alongside a recognition of the value of diversity
• Built strong and positive relationships between people from different backgrounds

Why Apply?

• Showcase the excellent work of your project 
• Highlight the positive effects that your activity is having on the individuals involved and the community it serves
• Share good practice and have an opportunity to learn from other organisations
• Promote your project in the Coventry Partnership's best practice guide
• Shortlisted/winners in each category will have a profile of their project uploaded to the Coventry Partnership website; an article on their activity in Citivision and press releases issued to ensure wider coverage of the winners
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the Lord Mayor's Award Ceremony

Coventry Community Cohesion Awards - Categories

The Coventry Community Cohesion Awards will be divided and judged against the following five categories:

• Voluntary - community cohesion activities run by large voluntary organisations (income above £50,000)
• Community - community cohesion activities run by small voluntary or community groups (income below £50,000)
• Public Sector - community cohesion activities run by the public sector
• Private Sector - community cohesion activities run by the private sector
• Young People - community cohesion activities run by young people aged 18 and under

The Assessment Process - Panel

An independent panel of judges will take the decision about which activity, scheme, project or individual is the overall winner for each category.

Judging will be based on the contents of the application form and the references provided.

The Assessment Process- Judging Criteria  - For all categories the judges will be looking for evidence of:

• The benefit to participants engaged in the activities
• Helping people to realise the positive contribution that unity in diversity can make to their lives
• The potential of the activity as a role model for other organisations in the city
• How the project is managed to bring people from different communities together
• Future plans for the activity
• How the activity delivers cost effective services and produces results
• How your approach is unique and innovative.
• Breaking down barriers that prevent people from working and living co-operatively

How to Apply

Visit the Coventry City Council website for more information and details on how to apply.

The deadline for receipt of all applications is 5pm on 30 April 2010

Source: Coventry City Council