The National Housing Federation is launching the What We Are Proud Of Awards 2010 today.

The prestigious awards, which showcase innovative and outstanding work by housing associations in their communities, are jointly sponsored by Campbell Tickell and Morrison.

There are nine regional awards with the overall winner chosen at the Federation's Annual Conference in Birmingham on 22-24 September 2010.

This year the Federation is offering a prize fund, also jointly sponsored by Campbell Tickell and Morrison, of £1,000 for the national winner and £500 for the highly commended finalist to reinvest directly in their winning project.

Full information on how to enter can be found at www.housing.org.uk/awards. The closing date for entries is 23 March 2010.

The North East and Yorkshire and Humberside finals will take place on Saturday 12 June in York. The North West final will take place in Manchester on Saturday 19 June.

The winners from the North in 2009 were:

• Yorkshire and Humberside
Chevin Housing Association- Lavender Court development
• North East
Endeavour Housing Association - Hestia (Goddess of Hearth & Home) Helping Vulnerable, Excluded and Abused Women to Make a Change.
• North West
Guinness Northern Counties - Street Box Strikers really makes a difference in Manchester

Federation chief executive David Orr said: "The awards are open to all Federation members, providing them with an opportunity to nominate an outstanding project and share achievements with the rest of their region."

Derek Long, Federation head of North said: "The What We Are Proud Of Awards celebrate outstanding housing association-run projects across the country. The northern entries in 2009 showed just how individuals' lives could be transformed by associations' initiative, innovation and plain hard work. Good luck to everyone entering for 2010."

Greg Campbell of Campbell Tickell said: "We work with housing associations all over the country, large and small. We know what great initiatives so many of them have developed, working with their customers, and often without spending a huge amount of money. The 2009 What We Are Proud Of Awards showcased many of these schemes, and we're really looking forward to seeing some excellent new entries this year. We are delighted to sponsor the Awards again."

Guy Wakeley of Morrison said: "At Morrison we feel a strong sense of responsibility to the communities we serve and are determined to make them sustainable places to live and work. This is why we are supporting the What We Are Proud Of Awards 2010, celebrating the innovative work that housing associations do every day to make a difference to their communities."