Groups may be nominated if they meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Community based volunteer groups (two or more people) are eligible. This may include groups that are organisationally part of a larger regional or national organisation as long as the initiative and drive for the volunteering activity has started and been developed locally by the volunteers
• The beneficiaries of the service provided by eligible groups can be in the UK or overseas, but groups must be based in the UK
• Groups that bring a direct and indirect benefit to people are eligible. Indirect benefit includes, for example, groups working for the preservation of the heritage, environment etc.
• Groups must have been operating at a high standard for a minimum of three years
• Groups are eligible as long as they are made up of a simple majority of volunteers
• The majority of volunteers must have the right of residence in the UK

Please note: Groups that are solely involved in fundraising activity for charitable purposes are not eligible for an Award e.g. groups involved in street collections, jumble sales or charity shops, the primary purpose of which is to raise money