Deadline: June 15, 2014
Interested and qualified individuals and organization are invited to apply for the 2014 European Economic and Social Committee’s Civil Society Prize.
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.
Benefit:
- 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.
Selection criteria:
The selection board will assess the applications that meet the eligibility, taking into account:
- The impact of the initiatives in terms of:
- their target audience (categories of beneficiaries of the initiative and number of people concerned);
- the nature of their contribution to the well-being of the community;
- their long-term impact;
- their sustainability;
- their European dimension (geographical coverage).
- The degree of excellence of the initiatives in terms of:
- innovation;
- creativity;
- uniqueness.
Nomination:
- Nominations are to be made by filling in the nomination form and to be sent to the EESC secretariat to the following address: [email protected].
For more information and to download the form, click here.
