I received an email yesterday from Tad Boggs with the NCEEP announcing that the program has been named among the top 50 governmental innovations in the nation by Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.  We congratulate the EEP on this impressive honor.  Please read below for details on the award and its history.

Colleagues: 

The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government today announced that the N.C. Ecosystem Enhancement Program has been named among the top 50 new governmental innovations in the nation.  The designation qualifies EEP as a semifinalist in the 2007 Innovations in American Government Awards, known as the “Oscars of government awards,” in which nearly 1,000 programs nationwide were competing. 

This is the second time in the past three years that EEP has advanced to this level of the competition. According to the Innovations awards committee, the top 50 programs represent government agencies at the federal, state, county and city levels.  Initiatives were selected for their novelty and creativity, effectiveness at addressing significant issues and their potential to be replicated by other jurisdictions.  

On May 2, 18 finalists will be selected for site visits by the awards committee, leading to the designation of seven winners later this year.   

More information on EEP’s recognition is available under “Hot Topics” at www.nceep.net.    

Tad BoggsDirector of CommunicationsN.C. Ecosystem Enhancement Program919-715-2227www.nceep.net