The On the Line Millennium Awards provided fantastic opportunities for young people to fulfil an ambition, unlock their potential and deliver a positive benefit to their community. Between July 2000 and September 2001, 246 young people received an award of between £2000 and £10,000 to help them raise awareness of global development and environmental issues within their own communities. All the award winners were volunteers who gained no personal financial benefit from running their project.

135 inspirational projects took place in all corners of the UK, from Penzance to the Western Isles. Each community linked with another country on the zero degree meridian line – France, Spain, Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo and Ghana.

Through these links, sustainable development and environmental issues were explored to raise public awareness of similarities, differences and global interdependence, through education, community action, sport, leisure, art and culture.

The award winners covered issues as diverse as slavery, homelessness, mental and sexual health, Islam, eco-tourism, recycling and microcredit. These messages were delivered creatively through the use of film, textiles, art, performance, and many other techniques. Award winners ran events such as public/school performances, video screenings, exhibitions, slide shows, television broadcasts, website launches, football tournaments, open days, concerts, fashion shows, music events, radio broadcasts, fairs and puppet shows.

Award winners were asked to comment on how they felt their community had benefited from their project. Almost half felt that there had been a significant change in the level of awareness of the On the Line countries, with a third feeling that there had been a significant change in attitude.

All successful awardees become Millennium Fellows.

To find out more about the Millennium Awards, see the On the Line website.

To find out more about Millennium Fellows and other Millennium Awards schemes have a look at the Millennium Fellowship website.