Deadline: 15 June 2014
Open to: European civil society organisations and individuals
Prize: EUR 30,000 in total
Description
The aim of the annual European Economic and Social Committee’s Civil Society Prize is to reward and encourage tangible initiatives and achievements by civil society organisations and individuals that have made a significant contribution to promoting European identity and integration. Its overall objective is to raise awareness of the contribution that civil society organisations and individuals can make to the creation of a European identity and citizenship in a way that underpins the common values that shore up European integration.
The 2014 theme of EESC is “The Integration of Roma”.
The specific objective of the prize is to reward initiatives which:
- combat racism, discrimination and prejudice against Roma;
- raise awareness of the rights and obligations of Roma;
- raise awareness among non-Roma communities – including local authorities and service providers – about the reality of Roma communities; promote tolerance; improve the perception and acceptance of Roma and their image in the media;
- facilitate an open-minded attitude and mutual knowledge between Roma and other EU citizens;
- promote fair treatment of and equal opportunities for Roma in the workplace;
- facilitate social inclusion of Roma and foster their empowerment and participation in the social, economic, political and cultural life of their home country;
- raise awareness, exchange information and spread best practices on the integration and inclusion of Roma;
- offer practical support and advice as regards administrative procedures and services available and help Roma overcome practical hurdles related for example to access to housing, health services, education and employment.
Prize
The total value of the prize is EUR 30,000. This amount may be shared between three winners:
- First prize: EUR 20,000;
- Second prize: EUR 5,000;
- Third prize: EUR 5,000.
Eligibility
The EESC Civil Society Prize is open to civil society organisations officially registered within the European Union and acting at local, national, regional or European level and it is open to individuals, too.
Candidates for the prize (both organisations and individuals) must be nominated by:
- one or several members of the European Economic and Social Committee; or
- one or several national Economic and Social Councils (ESCs) or similar institutions; or
- one or several European civil society organisations and networks.
European civil society organisations and individuals are not allowed to nominate themselves.
Nomination
The final deadline for sending nominations is 15 June 2014. Winners will be notified by 15 September 2014. The prize-giving ceremony will be held on 16 October 2014.
Nominations are to be made by filling in the nomination form and to be sent to the EESC secretariat to the following address: civilsocietyprize@eesc.europa.eu.
For further information visit the official website HERE.
