An exciting new opportunity for arts related-projects has been announced with the launch of the inaugural National Lottery Good Causes Awards.

The awards – which carry a total prize fund of €95,000 - are aimed at celebrating the inspiring work being carried out in communities all over Ireland thanks to National Lottery Good Causes funding.

Open to any arts organisation which received funding through the Arts Council in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016, the awards will involve County and Regional Finals between July and September, culminating in a televised Gala Awards Dinner in the Clayton (Burlington) Hotel in Dublin on Saturday 3 November.

There are six Awards categories including Arts. Entries will be judged not on the amount received in Good Causes funding but on the impact of the funding on a local community, group or service users.  The overall winning project will receive up to €35,000 to put towards their great work, while category winners will receive €10,000.

The application process is very simple.

Details are at www.lottery.ie/goodcausesawards