The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
has launched a Civil Solidarity Prize, dedicated to the fight against the
coronavirus.
Aim & Objectives
- The
aim of this prize, which is launched in 2020 as a one-off edition instead
of the annual EESC Civil Society Prize, is to reward not-for-profit
initiatives by natural persons and/or private law bodies that have made a
significant contribution to tackling the emergency situation created by
the Covid-19 pandemic.
- The
overall objective of the prize is thus to raise awareness and increase
visibility of the contribution that natural persons and/or private law
bodies have made or are making to creating a European identity and
solidarity in a way that underpins the common values that are the
foundation of European integration.
The Civil Solidarity Prize
will honour creative and effective initiatives by individuals, civil society
organisations and privately owned companies that have made an outstanding
contribution to tackling the COVID-19 emergency and its grave and manifold consequences,
thereby strengthening European solidarity and helping to create a European
identity based on common EU values.
Theme
A one-off award with the
specific theme of "Civil society against COVID-19", which this year
will be replacing its flagship annual Civil Society Prize.
Prize
Information
- The
EESC will be awarding up to 29 prizes, for the amount of EUR
10 000 each, to initiatives carried out in the territory of the
EU or the United Kingdom.
- 27
prizes are available for projects implemented in Member States, one for a
UK entry and one for a project with a cross-border or European focus.
Eligibility
Criteria
- For
UK candidates: Following the entry into
force of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement on 1 February 20203 and in
particular Articles 127(6), 137 and 138, the references here below to
natural or legal persons residing or established in a Member State of the
EU are to be understood as including natural or legal persons residing or
established in the United Kingdom. UK residents and entities are therefore
eligible to submit an entry.
- Natural
persons:
- For
the purposes of this prize, natural persons are individuals or groups of
individuals acting jointly without contractual ties. EU citizens are
eligible, regardless of their country of residence. Third-country
nationals are also eligible, provided they are legally resident in the
territory of the EU. Groups of individuals must designate one of the
natural persons as a point of contact (the leader) for the
administrative and financial aspects of the prize.
- EESC
members, CCMI delegates, staff of EU institutions and other EU bodies,
members of the evaluation committee and their relatives are not eligible
to submit an entry.
- Private
law bodies
- Civil
society organisations (hereafter: "CSOs") officially registered
within the European Union and acting at local, national, regional or
European level are eligible. For the purposes of this prize, CSOs as
defined in the EESC opinion on the role and contribution of civil society
organisations in the building of Europe are "organisational
structures whose members have objectives and responsibilities Agreement on
the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community
(OJ L 29, 31.1.2020, p. 7). EESC-2020-02798-00-02-INFO-TRA (EN) 4/11 that
are of general interest and who also act as mediators between the public
authorities and citizens.
- For
the purposes of this prize, "companies or firms" means
profit-making entities constituted under civil or commercial law,
including cooperative societies, and other legal persons governed by private
law. Companies or firms are eligible if they are formed in accordance
with the law of a Member State and have their registered office, central
administration or principal place of business on the territory of the EU.
- Companies
or firms:
- For
the purposes of this prize, "companies or firms" means
profit-making entities constituted under civil or commercial law,
including cooperative societies, and other legal persons governed by
private law. Companies or firms are eligible if they are formed in
accordance with the law of a Member State and have their registered
office, central administration or principal place of business on the
territory of the EU.
Post Date - 15-Jul-2020