The European Democratic Citizenship Awards are back

15 September 2015 | Uncategorised

In view of its tenth anniversary in 2015, the European Civic Forum launched the European Democratic Citizenship Awards, aimed at promoting citizens’ engagement. The 2015 edition will take place in the light of the 10thanniversary activities, in October in Strasbourg.

Since 2014, these Awards are rewarding outstanding initiatives and civil society stakeholders, who bring in a real democratic citizenship with an innovative dimension and with a concrete impact on their communities’ life, be it at the local, regional, national or European level.

The European Civic Forum defends the notion of a European democratic citizenship based upon the vision of the Council of Europe, which implies a process of ownership and a feeling of belonging.

To do so, four categories of initiatives illustrate this concept of democratic citizenship:

  1. The “Citizens’ campaign of the year” Award aims at supporting raising-awareness or advocacy campaigns which occurred in 2014, with a strong impact on community’s life or on public decisions;
  2. The “NGO of the year” Award recompenses organisations which made a significant action towards the promotion of European values;
  3. The “Personality of the year” Award is given to individuals who had an outstanding contribution to democratic life and to the development of a community or a cause;
  4. The “Media initiative of the year” Award, rewarding participatory initiatives by, for and with citizens who played an active part in reinforcing participation, relaying information and developing the civic space. A particular attention will be paid to initiatives promoting freedom of expression and freedom of media.

An international Jury selected four nominees for each categories, following precise rules of procedure and clear selection criteria.

This is where your participation counts. You are now invited to choose your favorite candidate in each category and so give them a chance to be our 2015 Laureates. Check out our dedicated EDCA webpage and make your choice by clicking here.