The 2011 Rushlight Awards have a prize fund worth £500,000 consisting of services donated by the programme's sponsors. Prizes are given for each category winner and for the overall winner for each category group. Each overall category group winner will also be forwarded for the main Rushlight Award.

The scheme is open to organisations that have developed a specific technology, process or initiative that has, or will have, a significant beneficial impact on the environment.

Organisations of all types and sizes are eligible to enter the awards, including public sector organisations, voluntary and community sector organisations, research institutions and private companies.

Oak Foundation addresses the issues of global social and environmental concern, particularly those that have a major impact on the lives of the disadvantaged.

Oak's priorities and areas of particular emphasis are

• Environment
• Housing and Homelessness
• International Human Rights
• Issues Affecting Women