DURHAM, N.H. -- NH Listens, a civic engagement initiative of the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire, has received an American Civic Collaboration Award, a Civvy, for its efforts to strengthen communities. Since 2000, NH Listens has helped Granite State residents talk and work together to create communities that work for everyone.

“More than ever before, America’s future depends on working together,” said Big Tent Nation, organizers of the event. “We need to celebrate the people and initiatives that leverage collaboration and creativity to strengthen communities, heal partisan divides and invigorate American democracy. That’s why we created the American Civic Collaboration Awards - or Civvys.”

Selected by a panel of civic engagement experts from over 50 nominations, this year’s finalists for the awards have achieved on-the-ground impact at the youth, regional and national level.

“We accepted this award with great joy on behalf of our partners across the state, where rich and timely conversations have been taking place to strengthen New Hampshire communities,” said Michele Holt-Shannon, a director of NH Listens with Bruce Mallory. “We want to thank the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and the Endowment for Health for their longtime support of our work.”

The Civvy awards are co-sponsored by the Bridge Alliance and Big Tent Nation, organizations dedicated to bringing people together from across the political spectrum to address and resolve America’s greatest challenges.