After nominations are received, a panel of judges will review the nominations and will select the best nominations in three categories as finalists for further consideration at the 2002 Neighborhoods, USA Conference. This category includes projects that are initiated by one neighborhood and focus on the social or cultural aspects of a neighborhood such as neighborhood safety, neighborhood youth and seniors, activities that help neighbors feel connected and foster a spirit of cooperation such as neighborhood festivals and celebrations, etc. This category includes projects that are jointly sponsored by at least two neighborhood organizations. They can address physical, social or other project areas. The panel of judges reserves the right to place an application in a different category if they feel that the consideration with other applications in the new category would result in a fairer evaluation of the proposed project.
Costs associated with attending the conference are the responsibility of the finalist organization.
Award winners in each category and a grand prizewinner will be announced at the NUSA conference's closing luncheon, and cash prizes will be presented at that time. Selection of NOTY finalists and award winners will be based on a consideration of the degree to which the nominated project, in its unique neighborhood context, is innovative, overcomes obstacles, mobilizes community resources, and creates partnerships between people of different ages, cultures or economic stature that who would not ordinarily work together.