Delano Franklyn, chairman of the Michael Manley Foundation, said that 2009 will be a milestone year for the competition, as it is the 10th anniversary of the foundation.

The award honours the project that best exemplifies the Jamaican traditions of self-reliance and community cooperation. This year's winners will receive a cash prize of $200,000 and a bronze resin trophy sculpted by renowned Jamaican artist, Kay Sullivan.

The criteria include community initiative and participation; gender equity, where appropriate; sustainability; and economic, social, cultural and environmental impact. Youth participation is also a factor in the judging of projects.

There will also be a special $100,000 cash award, sponsored by the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, for the project with the best credentials in environmental conservation or child survival and development.

Get in touch

Entry forms for the Michael Manley Award for Community Self Reliance are available at the Michael Manley Foundation, 1A Hope Boulevard, Kingston 6. Telephone 927-2288/927-0563/ 977-0770, fax 702-3588, email mmfoundation@cwjamaica.com, or on the foundation's website, www.michaelmanley.org.