Big Lottery Fund Chief Executive to Chair Idox Innovation Awards

Manchester, United Kingdom, May 30, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Launched in spring of this year, Idox's Innovation Awards aim to recognise, reward and raise the profile of projects that have demonstrated a creative and forward-thinking approach to improving the life of communities in one or more UK locations.

Dawn Austwick, a former chief executive of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and head of the Big Lottery Fund since 2013, has been announced as chair of the Awards' 2015 judging panel. She commented:

"The Big Lottery Fund wants to use its funding to put people in the lead, to support their aspirations and to make life better for local communities. We support thousands of community projects each year with National Lottery funding and so often see first-hand the impact that inspiring initiatives have in building confidence and creating vibrant places for people to live, work and play.

"The Idox Innovation Awards is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate innovative community projects and I am very much looking forward to seeing what the best of these projects have to offer the UK of today – and tomorrow."

The Idox Innovation Awards were created to celebrate Idox's 30 years as Europe's leading providers of funding information.

Inviting entries until 1 September 2015, one organisation in each of five award categories will be selected to receive an Idox Innovation Award of £3,000 in recognition of their project's achievement, together with promotional and publicity opportunities. The award categories are:

– Category 1: Innovation in supporting local economic development
– Category 2: Innovation in promoting community engagement
– Category 3: Innovation in promoting healthy living
– Category 4: Innovation in supporting children and young people (aged up to 18 years)
– Category 5: Innovation in promoting environmental sustainability

Full award criteria and the official entry form are available from www.idoxgroup.com/awards or awards@idoxgroup.com