The Sheila McKechnie Awards were created to help those fighting for social, economic, and environmental change to develop their campaigning skills. The award organisers, the Sheila McKechnie Foundation, offer custom-designed training and development opportunities over six months, provided in support packages, to help awardees take their campaigns to the next level, including advice on how to get media coverage, fresh ideas to boost the campaign profile, or tips on how to influence politicians. There are a total of 12 awards, 2 of which are for international campaigners, the remainder for campaigners in communities across the United Kingdom (UK). The Foundation believes that campaigning for change is an important part of a healthy democracy.

The following is a list of the UK-based awards:

    * Conflict Resolution
    * Consumer Action
    * Environment
    * London Social Justice
    * Rosa Women Creating Change
    * Social Inclusion
    * Transport

International awards include the following:

    * International Award
    * International Young Campaigner

Young Campaigner Awards include the following:

    * Global Action
    * Shout Out!
    * Young Activist

To apply for a place on the programme, applicants need to access and complete an application form [in MS Word format] and email it to awards@smk.org.uk

Click here for more information and access to the application form.

Click here to read about previous winners.

Email from Clare Parry to The Communication Initiative on May 6 2009.