BC Hydro is offering $10,000 awards to non-profit community organizations that are committed to making a difference around sustainability, conservation and environmental leadership.

The 2014 Community Champions program is open to non-profit organizations across British Columbia, and five winners will be awarded $10,000 each. British Columbians will help determine the finalist through online voting.

All video submissions must be in the form of a two to three-minute video and be uploaded to bchydro.com/communitychampions by Sept. 30. Participants are also encouraged to share their conservation initiative or show support for their favourite non-profit on social media using the hashtag #BCHCommunityChampions.

BC Hydro will select 15 semi-finalists and then the public will determine five finalists by voting for their favourite videos between Oct.15 and Nov. 30. B.C. classrooms are also welcome to vote for a winner. By voting, each class will be entered in a draw to win $1,000 for a sustainability project in their school.

Last year’s Community Champions showcased a wide range of sustainability projects, ranging from a public bus service on Gabriola Island that is lowering vehicle emissions to a camp in Kelowna that teaches children how to protect the environment by reducing waste and saving water and energy.