The Citizens Own Renewable Energy Network Australia (CORENA) is pleased to call for nominations for the inaugural CORENA Innovation Award. The award recognises the most innovative and creative emission reduction project or initiative, as assessed against the judging criteria by the CORENA Committee.
The award was established in recognition of CORENA’s founder, Margaret Hender, and the innovative and pioneering spirit that drove her to establish and grow CORENA from humble beginnings in 2013. The Innovation Award winner will be announced at CORENA’s Annual General Meeting on 19 October 2023.
The value of the 2023 Innovation Award is $5,000 – which can be applied as a one-off cash contribution to the recipient organisation, for the implementation of the winning project or initiative, or as an offset against a CORENA loan to support the implementation of the project or initiative.
Eligibility
The following eligibility criteria apply for Innovation Award applicants:
- Applications are open to any organisation or individual pursuing a project or initiative to reduce carbon emissions
- The project or initiative must be in the early stages of development i.e. the award will not be awarded retrospectively to an established project or initiative, unless for expansion purposes
- The award funds must be important in achieving implementation of the project or initiative
- The applicant may or may not also be pursuing a loan with CORENA
Applicants can self-nominate or be nominated by others.
Judging Criteria
Eligible applications will be judged by the CORENA Committee against the following criteria:
- The project or initiative will achieve a demonstrable, long-term reduction in carbon emissions;
- The project or initiative employs innovative or novel solutions to achieve carbon emission reductions;
- The project or initiative employs an emerging technology to reduce carbon emissions;
- The project or initiative serves as an example, or blueprint for future projects or initiatives or otherwise demonstrate growth potential; and
- The project or initiative advances our energy system towards a cleaner economy.
- Applications must address item number 1 of the judging criteria, plus at least one of items 2 – 5.
Nominations
To apply or nominate, please complete the application form here.
Timeline
Applications are now open
Applications close on 30 September 2023
Winner announced on 19 October 2023 at CORENA’s (online) AGM.