The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has launched a Civil Solidarity Prize to reward initiatives undertaken by individuals, civil society organisations and privately owned companies in the EU and the United Kingdom to battle COVID-19 and cushion its devastating blows.

The EESC will be awarding up to 29 prizes of EUR 10 000 each. 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.

The Civil Solidarity Prize, designed as a one-off award replacing the EESC's trademark Civil Society Prize, will honour initiatives that have made an outstanding contribution to tackling the COVID-19 emergency and its manifold consequences, and have thereby strengthened European solidarity.

With this prize, the EESC wants to pay tribute to all those people who fought against the coronavirus, displaying courage, commitment, and an unbelievable sense of responsibility.  

To be eligible to apply, entrants must either reside in or be established in the EU or in the UK. Despite the fact that the UK is now leaving the EU, by including candidates from this former Member State among those eligible for the prize, the EESC wants to show that it does not intend to break ties with civil society in this former Member State and that – on the contrary – it wishes to maintain close relations.

The deadline for entries is 12 p.m. on 30 September 2020. The award ceremony will take place at the EESC plenary session in January 2021 in Brussels.

More information on how to apply available here. (ll)