AusLeisure

Details of the World Leisure Innovation Prize have been released.

The prize seeks to recognise organisations that have implemented creative solutions that foster local, national or international leisure opportunities for the benefit and development of individuals and communities. Leisure is considered in its broadest sense including play, recreation, the arts and culture, sports, festivals and celebrations, health and fitness, or travel and tourism. It encompasses indoor or outdoor programs, services and amenities.

A major component that distinguishes the World Leisure Innovation Prize from other awards is that is focuses on the social and cultural aspects of leisure as an aspect of the lived experience for individuals in a community and for visitors to the community. The Prize represents the use of leisure as a creative solution to enhancing collectively the social, cultural, environmental, and economic quality of life in an area.

Criteria for Selection

• Project has been in operation for two years or more;
• Applicant demonstrates originality and creativity in the project;
• Objectives of the project are clearly stated with evidence that they have been met;
• The project is of high quality:
• Project contributes to promoting the social, cultural, economic, and/or environmental quality of the community;
• Project demonstrates how leisure contributes to the quality of life of citizens and visitors (if appropriate); and
• Evidence is described for the long term sustainability of the project.

2010 Key Innovation Criteria
In the current economic climate the Prize Committee will give greater consideration to projects that:

• Have demonstrated responsiveness to major changes in their economic environment
• Are low budget projects which can be developed or replicated elsewhere.

Selection Procedures
Applications will be evaluated on:
• Innovation;
• Description of the objectives of the project and clear evidence that the project has been successful;
• Quality;
• Community involvement;
• Impact on participants; and
• Demonstration of sustainability.

Originality, creativity, and innovation should be demonstrated related to process (vision, management and communications), resources (financial viability and human such as volunteers), partnerships and community involvement, outputs (program, events and amenities) and outcomes. Further, the project should be âinspirational�? or demonstrate a âfeel good�? factor. Innovation may mean a new idea or it may mean finding creative solutions through leisure to existing problems and issues. Innovations must demonstrate more than a quality program. In addition, applicants must demonstrate that their project does not exist elsewhere but it could be potentially adapted to other situations.

Application/Award Procedures
Nomination file should include:
• Name of organization and full contact details;
• Name of principal contact or representative;
• Title of project; and
• A written statement of not more than 1,500 words that addresses the six criteria for selection listed below.

Recognition/Benefits to the Recipient
Winning applicants will receive special recognition and a physical symbol/statue reflecting the unique social, cultural characteristics of the physical, cultural or social geography of the location of the World Leisure Congress where the prize is presented.

The symbol is affectionately known as a 'George' award in honour of George Torkildsen, the Panel's first chair until his untimely death.

A representative from each winning organisation will have their travel, accommodation expenses and delegate fee paid to the Congress.

The first World Leisure Prize was presented at the 2006 World Leisure Congress in Hangzhou, China.

For more information go to www.worldleisure.org/about/innovation%20prize.php

11th February 2010 - WORLD LEISURE CONGRESS HEADS TO KOREA

3rd April 2009 - WORLD LEISURE ANNOUNCES FUTURE STRATEGY

Image: George Torkildsen.