The National Lottery Awards are the annual nationwide search for the UK's favourite National Lottery-funded projects - and yours could be in with a chance of winning.

This is your chance to get some well-deserved recognition for the wonderful work that your project has done with National Lottery funding. It doesn't matter whether you are part of a large project that has received millions of pounds in funding or a small project that has had a few hundred - if you have received National Lottery funding, at any time, you can enter.

This year’s Awards are now open for nominations - so why get involved?

1. To build your support network

Entering the Awards will give your visitors and supporters the chance to show their appreciation for your project, large or small. The winners of the National Lottery Awards are decided completely by the public, and the voting process is a great way to get local businesses, politicians, friends and family right behind your work. Last year, the RAF Museum was crowned Best Heritage Project in the Awards, having amassed an impressive 7,448 votes. The Museum took every opportunity to encourage their visitors to vote for them.

[quote]"The winners of the National Lottery Awards are decided completely by the public, and the voting process is a great way to get local businesses, politicians, friends and family right behind your work." [/quote]

2. Priceless publicity

You could be on TV – and not just if your project wins. If you are one of the seven winners, a film promoting your work will be shown as part of the Awards ceremony to a nationwide audience on BBC One. But it’s not just the winners who’ll enjoy media attention. The National Lottery Awards generate over 1,000 media stories each year. Our media partners are The Telegraph and Woman’s Weekly magazine. The National Lottery Live also profiles the work of finalists on its BBC One prime-time Saturday evening programme alongside revealing the winning Lotto numbers. Perfect publicity.

3. To boost engagement with your project

Your awards success will snowball and lead to a surge in support from others. It will create a buzz about what you do. RSPB Saltholme, supported by HLF, won Best Education project a couple of years ago and found this led to a rise in visitor numbers. Other winners have talked about an increase in volunteer numbers and donations and improved relationships with local politicians, schools and businesses. 

4. To thank your team

Becoming a finalist or even winning would be the perfect way to thank your passionate and dedicated team of staff and volunteers who give their time and expertise to help your project. And that's not to mention attending the red carpet awards ceremony in London and rubbing shoulders with the stars who turn up to pay tribute to the achievements of the winners. Even if you don't make it through to the finals, campaigning is a great way to remind everyone of the great work you do.  

5. The cash prize

And finally, the winners also receive a £3,000 prize to spend on their project. While this money can go a long way, it isn’t usually the main reason projects enter. They do so to get the recognition they deserve.  

How to enter

It is easy to enter the Awards. There’s a short application form to complete, which will ask you to detail your project’s achievements and give examples of its life-changing impact.  You could find your project competing in any of the seven categories: Best Arts, Sport, Education, Environment, Heritage, Health or Voluntary/Charity project.

If you would like to enter your project or nominate one in this year’s National Lottery Awards, visit the National Lottery Awards website or call 0207 293 3599 to find out more. Entries must be received by midnight on 9 March 2016.

Go on, give it a shot! It might be a very productive use of 30 minutes of your time - we look forward to reading your entry!