Kirsty and Roger congratulate Green Valleys project on award

5.00.00pm GMT Wed 13th Jan 2010

Brecon and Radnorshire's MP Roger Williams and AM Kirsty Williams have extended their heartfelt congratulations to the Green Valleys project after the group won a £300,000 share of NESTA's £1 million Big Green Challenge.

The Green Valleys Project was awarded the prize at a Ceremony today in London and joined two other projects as winners, with one other project a runner-up.

In early 2008, 355 groups came forward with a wide range of imaginative and practical ideas for reducing CO2 emissions in their communities. 100 of the most promising groups were selected, who received support from the Big Green Challenge team to develop their ideas into detailed plans. From this group, they shortlisted ten finalists , including The Green Valleys from the Brecon Beacons, who received funding and support to put their ideas into practice over the course of a year to compete for the £1 million prize. They had until October 2009 to reduce CO2 emissions in their community.

Kirsty Williams AM for Brecon and Radnorshire said: "Roger and I visited the project just last week and we were both very impressed with the wide variety of ideas and activities that are being undertaken. I am very pleased for the group who thoroughly deserve this award after all of the sheer hard work they have invested into the project."

Roger Williams MP for Brecon and Radnorshire said: "This award is a tribute to the amazing amount of work put in to developing the project, which is exactly the sort of grassroots activity that can make such a big difference. It also makes the issues of combating climate change and living more sustainably much more real and relevant at local level. The Green Valleys project is something that other communities across the world can now learn from."

Notes

About NESTA

NESTA is the largest independent endowment in the UK. Its mission is to support innovation to drive economic recovery and solve some of the UK's major social challenges. NESTA is a world leader in its field and is in a unique position to support and promote innovation through a blend of practical programmes, policy and research and investment in early-stage companies.

www.nesta.org.uk

About the Big Green Challenge

The Big Green Challenge, launched in October 2007, is NESTA's £1million challenge prize designed to stimulate and support community-led responses to climate change. Through the Big Green Challenge, it has been our aim to unlock the potential power of community-led innovation and uncover what support communities need to transform their bright ideas into viable solutions that will improve all of our lives.

In early 2008, 355 groups came forward with a wide range of imaginative and practical ideas for reducing CO2 emissions in their communities. We selected 100 of the most promising groups, who received support from the Big Green Challenge team to develop their ideas into detailed plans. From this group, we shortlisted ten finalists who received funding and support to put their ideas into practice over the course of a year to compete for the £1 million prize. They had until October 2009 to reduce CO2 emissions in their community.

www.biggreenchallenge.org.uk

About The Green Valleys

The Green Valleys is a community renewable energy scheme which aims to make the Brecon Beacons region a net exporter of energy. Described by Jane Davidson, Minister for Sustainability as "Exactly the sort of activity we need to provide inspiration and support to community groups and small enterprises." The Green Valleys is developing Community renewable energy schemes and supporting communities to reduce their carbon emissions. All revenue from community-owned installations is being reinvested in community-based carbon reduction projects such as electric bike sharing or community woodlands that provide managed wood fuel.

Harnessing local skills and expertise has been an essential part of the project and the Green Valleys team is now working with statutory organisations across Wales to help other communities develop the skills and expertise needed to run similar projects.

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