Image and Content courtesy: Google.org Google.org's Inform and Empower Initiative is proud to announce the launch of the Gram Panchayat Puraskar to reward the best innovations in local governance by Gram Panchayats in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, India. This initiative is the first of its kind by Google.org and gives the opportunity for local governments in India to showcase the innovative work in their villages, and emerge as the star innovators of their respective states. Entries for the competition will be evaluated on the basis of criterion such as empowerment, innovation and scale. The innovation needs to be in the context of one of the following six areas - education, health and nutrition, water supply, rural infrastructure, rural electrification, resource mobilization - going above and beyond the call of duty. The Gram Panchayat will have to demonstrate the following: * Inclusion of all social and income groups in village decision-making or planning. * Sharing information with villagers such as Gram Sabha dates, proceedings and action items; record maintenance; Gram Panchayat plan. * Community tracking and monitoring of the budgets and quality of the programs * Working with other programs to reach development objectives The competition spans 27,942 villages in 49 districts across the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Google.org will be accepting applications from December 12, 2008 through January 25, 2009 and will announce finalists and winners in March/April of 2009. Winning Gram Panchayats will receive INR 500,000 (approximately $10,000) to continue to do good in their communities. Visit: https://www.google.org/ggpp.html for more information.