EESC published Civil Society Prize 2022. Main topics: youth and Ukraine

Creating a better future for young people and helping Ukrainian war victims are the two themes of this year's EESC Civil Society Prize

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is now accepting applications for its Civil Society Prize 2022 which will reward innovative and creative projects and initiatives in two categories: empowering young people and helping Ukrainian civilians affected by the terrible events in their war-torn country.

A total of EUR 60 000 will be awarded to a maximum of six winners, with three winners per category. The award ceremony will take place during the EESC plenary session in Brussels on 14-15 December 2022.

The deadline for entries is 10 a.m. (Brussels time) on 31 July 2022.
The projects must have already been implemented or still be ongoing. Those which are planned but which have not begun implementation by 31 July 2022 will be excluded.
The prize is open to all civil society organisations, individuals and private companies carrying out non-profit initiatives. Organisations and companies must be officially registered within the EU whereas individual applicants have to be either EU citizens or third-country nationals residing in the EU.
All initiatives and projects must be carried out in the EU, with the exception of the projects in Category 2 (European civil

A complete list of requirements and an online application form are available on our website.
 
With its prestigious Award for Civil Society, the EESC wants to raise awareness of the exceptional contribution of civil society to the creation of European identity and citizenship and the promotion of common values ​​that strengthen European integration.
 
The prize, which is being awarded for the 13th time this year, focuses on a different topic every year that is particularly important for the EU at the given moment.
 
1ST CATEGORY: YOUNG PEOPLE ARE OUR FUTURE, BUT ALSO THE PRESENT The theme of the 1st category is youth empowerment.
 
In the European Year of Youth, the EESC wants to highlight the enormous importance of the meaningful participation of young people and youth organizations in decision-making procedures, which will ensure the stability and resilience of European democracies.
 
By awarding the award to this category, the EESC wants to highlight the contribution that young people can make shaping the future of Europe, as well as the urgent need to give them the opportunity to become active citizens and agents of positive changes in the economy and society COVID-19. This is even more important now because young people are disproportionately affected by the economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 disease.
 
The EESC will therefore select the winners from among projects aimed at creating a better future with and for young people in Europe. Projects should address the special needs of young Europeans and contribute to their empowerment and participation in economic and social life
 
To be eligible, submitted projects must cover at least one of the following areas: employment and access to the labour market, including entrepreneurship; education and training; health and well-being, especially in the context of the consequences of the COVID-19 disease pandemic; participation in political processes, including issues such as climate change and new technologies; empowerment of vulnerable groups; and strengthening the capacity of young spreaders of ideas.
 
2ND CATEGORY: COMMUNITY WITH UKRAINE
 
The subject of the 2nd category is the support of European civil society to Ukraine. The award will recognize effective, innovative and creative initiatives aimed at helping civilians suffering as a result of war.
 
One of the current priorities of the EESC is the protection of the population in Ukraine. The EESC insists that all refugees must be provided with adequate and timely protection. Organized civil society has already shown that its role in this context is crucial. It mobilized overnight in many countries and is working with the authorities to help people in Ukraine and those who have fled Ukraine to other countries.
 
The EESC expresses its deep regret for all the victims of aggression, the destruction of Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, as well as the incalculable human suffering and damage to the environment, with this award also honouring all those who provide humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people on a daily basis and who help refugees upon arrival and during their integration into the European Union society.
 
Projects eligible for the award can cover a wide range of topics, such as the provision of humanitarian aid, shelter or emergency aid; provision of social, psychological or administrative support helping Ukrainian refugees to integrate into host countries, for example by organizing language lessons or helping them find employment helping vulnerable people or fighting misinformation about the war in Ukraine.
 
A more detailed (but not definitive) list of possible project topics for both categories is available on a special EESC website.

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