The British Red Cross is launching a Humanitarian Citizen Award (HCA) that will seek to recognise the humanitarian activities and actions of children and young people under the age of 25.

The HCA, unlike other award schemes, has been specially designed to allow young people to not only decide who wins, but to also decide what humanitarian activities are as well.

Entrants to the award must be nominated by another young person. The criteria enable the broadest possible range of humanitarian activities to be recognised. This could be anything from organising a charity collection, running an awareness raising programme, or starting a club.

Anita Kerwin-Nye, Head of Schools and Community Education, said: "Rather than impose our definition, this award scheme gives young people the opportunity to decide what humanitarianism means to them."

She added: "We will not be judging entrants against a rigid definition of humanity. It is more important to us that another young person understands the activity to be something which made a positive difference to someone's life or the community around them."

The award will have three categories, young people under 16 years of age, young people between the ages of 16 and 25, and groups comprising young people under-25. Young people must have spent a minimum of 15 hours on the project or activity and must have had a position of responsibility.

The entry process has been designed to be simple as possible. Anita Kerwin-Nye, said: "Young people tell us that other awards programmes are bureaucratic, with narrow definitions of what they want to recognise and reward. We want our scheme to be open and accessible."

The winners will receive a certificate and be invited to attend a two-day residential skill-sharing course. The aim of the event, hosted by the BRC, is to provide a forum where the group can share ideas, skills and expertise.

Anita Kerwin-Nye said: "Active humanitarianism is at the heart of the Red Cross, which is why we believe that we should promote and encourage that principle, particularly in young people."

Information about the HCA can be found at www.redcross.orguk/theaward, nomination forms can be obtained by emailing theaward@redcross.org.uk, calling on 020 7877 7240, or by writing to Zuhra Bahman, British Red Cross, 44 Moorfields, London, EC2Y 9AL. Nominations for this year's awards are open between the 7th April and 31st July. The winners will be announced on the 31st August.