HERE'S a chance to reward innovation that meets a real need.

The Innovative Business Contribution to the Community Award is a new category for the Craven Community Champion Awards 2014.

It is designed to recognise an organisation that has developed a breakthrough product, service or project to address a community need.

Innovation is defined as unleashing an opportunity that is more effective, equitable or sustainable than existing approaches.

For example, you may run a facility that enables the community to access new technology such as 3D printers, digital music facilities or digital photography. You might run a domestic help service that assists older people to stay independent by providing home help such as meal preparation and cleaning services. You might offer training and supporting households to save energy or signpost people with acute health needs to a variety of health and wellbeing activities that help to improve their health holistically.

The Awards Panel would be interested in knowing;

• What the community need was that the innovation addressed

• How the innovation created a solution

• How your nominee thinks differently about working within the community

• How the innovation made a difference to the community or district in general

Principle Healthcare, one of the UK’s leading producers of vitamins, minerals and supplements and is proudly sponsoring the Innovative Business Contribution to the Community Award 2014.

Mike Davies, chairman and chief executive of the Principle Group, said: “There is absolutely no doubt that 'Innovation and Creativity' is, and will continue to be at the forefront of all business developments in the 21st century. It is critically important that we encourage people, especially young people with an environment, facilities and encouragement to develop their creative ideas and entrepreneurial thinking, with the objective of turning innovation into reality.

"Within the Principle Group we rank Innovation at the front of our business, and I am pleased to say that we have recently opened an Innovation Centre at our facilities in Skipton. The centre is a part of our ongoing commitment to innovation and enterprise. Designed to be used by businesses and academic institutions to encourage and facilitate innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. We want to empower users, tapping in to our expertise in marketing, manufacturing, sourcing and product development helping people to bring their ideas to life.

"The Innovation Centre is available to external organisations to provide support in the community via schools, colleges, universities, companies, and individuals.

"We know there are entrepreneurs and innovators out there and we have sponsored the Innovative Business Contribution to the Community Award to recognise the outstanding contribution they make to Craven.”

If you know of an organisation that has developed a breakthrough product, service or project which improves the community and should win the Innovative Business Contribution to the Community Award or if you would like to nominate your own business, complete a nomination form by 5pm on September 5. Nomination forms are available from the Craven District Council website cravendc.gov.uk/communitychampions and from any Craven library or doctor’s surgery.

All shortlisted entrants will be invited to an awards evening at the Coniston Hotel on October 23. Winners in all categories will be presented with an award and prize.