PIONEERING environmental organisation WestDEN has been shortlisted for an award at a major national event in London next week.
WestDEN is in with the chance of a big prize in the environmental category of the Charity Awards 2000 — the first ever awards to recognise and celebrate excellence in the leadership and management of charities.
WestDEN's Agenda 21 programme was judged for effective delivery, innovation, sustainability, enterprise and leadership against 150 other projects.
Daniel Phelan, publisher of NGO Finance which is hosting the awards, said: 'The aim of the awards is to recognise significant achievement in charity management practice.
'WestDEN has ably demonstrated the high standard that supporters and regulators should look for.'
Mr Phelan said the standard of entries was 'incredibly high' and the judges faced a hard task in compiling their shortlist.
'Although we will not know the winners until June 22, West DEN can be justifiably proud to have got to this stage.'
Elaine Bentley, WestDEN's chairman of trustees, said: 'We are thrilled and delighted that the work we do and the support we get from the community has been recognised in this way.
'This highly prestigious award scheme will bring publicity that will allow other community organisations to learn from our methods.'
With support from the borough and county council, WestDEN has set up a range of projects designed to ensure a good quality of life in a good quality environment for years to come.
The work has achieved international recognition and has led to invitations to share WestDEN's experience with the Department of the Environment and Cabinet Office working groups.
The overall winners at the Charity Awards 2000 will be announced at a gala dinner at the Savoy in London on June 22.