Nova Scotians are invited to nominate a community that promotes citizen engagement and civic pride for the 2024 Lieutenant-Governor’s Community Spirit Award.
The Lieutenant Governor’s Community Spirit Award celebrates the power, strength, and diversity of vibrant communities across Nova Scotia. It profiles their achievements and increases their visibility through a formal recognition program.
Up to four Nova Scotian communities are honoured each year. Recipients are chosen by a selection committee based on community applications that best fit the award’s criteria. Communities selected for the award promote citizen engagement, civic pride, and a positive outlook on the future.
Successful communities are honoured through celebration and recognition. The Lieutenant Governor attends a community celebration, presents a hand-crafted award, and unveils a sign to display in the community.
Award Guidelines
For the purpose of the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Spirit Award, community is described as a Nova Scotian geographic area. It can be a neighbourhood, town, city, or district anywhere in Nova Scotia.
Any community that can demonstrate through evidence, measurement, anecdote and/or illustration each one of the following key criteria can apply for this Award:
- ability to build on unique strengths within the community;
- a high degree of citizen participation in community projects of a wide variety, range and interest;
- includes others and encourages diversity in all its forms;
- clear evidence of community pride; and
- a focus on creating an enduring community.
Supportive Criteria
The following criteria will strengthen your nomination. If any of these apply to your community include them as well. Please use evidence, measurement, story and/or illustration as outlined in the Criteria checklist found at communityspiritaward.ca.
Your community also:
- recognizes history, tradition and cultural heritage
- welcomes newcomers and encourages them to stay
- finds solutions to community challenges by working together
- is adaptable and flexible
- has a willingness to start positive change
- has wide-spread support for recreational and cultural activity
- demonstrates youth involvement
- has an authentic respect for seniors
- forms unique and lasting partnerships (formal and/or informal)
- listens to one another in order to form better decisions
- respects the environment as shown through activities or programs
The deadline to nominate your community is May 15th. You can download the application form here.