The Ashden Awards -- annual honors for inspirational and innovative local sustainable energy projects from Asia, Africa and Latin America -- are looking for nominees for the 2008 awards. The projects recognized by the Ashdons help spread renewable energy generation and energy efficiency in the developing world, using technologies that are appropriate to challenging settings like poor rural communities: small but scalable, based on local needs and often on locally available techniques and resources. This year the prize money pot is £160,000 ($320,000):

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 a variety of technologies that both benefit local communities and achieve carbon savings such as 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 an Energy Champion Award of £40,000.

For more info and to download the application form -- available in English, Mandarin Chinese, French and Spanish -- go to www.ashdenawards.org or email: info AT ashdenawards DOT org.

We've written about the 2006 and 2005 Ashden Awards.