02 Its your community awards open

Each month 60 awards of up to £1,000 are given out to groups of all sizes throughout the UK. Awards must be for the benefit of the community or to build community spirit.

Applying is easy, log onto www.itsyourcommunity.co.uk and complete the online form and you’ll hear back within 28 working days whether your project will receive an award.

Almost 500 projects have applied successfully so far, including nearly 30 from Northern Ireland. But they would like to hear from more.

Awards have been given to groups wanting to turn derelict land into a playground, plant trees where none grew before, clean graffiti splattered walls, set up a self-help group for elderly people, turn an abandoned building into an arts centre for young people, set up a community noticeboard or community garden. And many more.

O2 have found that most of the projects fall naturally into four main groups (or can overlap). This list isn't exhaustive though and is always open to new, ground-breaking suggestions outside these four areas.

1. Community Places: reinvigorating community, amenity and recreation areas - e.g. installing new equipment for a playground
2. Community People: helping bring people together - e.g. promoting personal safety to young people
3. Community Pride: restoring a sense of pride - e.g. clearing litter or graffiti
4. Community Landscape: improving your natural environment - e.g. planting trees

Just log on to www.itsyourcommunity.co.uk, get inspired and see what you can do. And if you know someone with a good idea who needs money to get if off the ground, please tell them about It’s Your Community.