EESC to reward outstanding civil society initiatives civil society prize 2018 on identities, european values and cultural heritage in Europe

Global developments over the past years have taken a heavy toll on Europe's political and social life and have put the European project to the test. In Europe, internal divisions, feelings of disaffection among citizens and a drastic increase in migration have found populations and all levels of government unprepared, giving rise to nationalist rhetoric and straining mutual solidarity. Against this backdrop, civil society organisations have played a key role in bringing the potential of Europe's cultural heritage to the fore, strengthening identities and societies and promoting the vast potential of diversity, which is the basis of our European history.

The EESC Civil Society Prize 2018 wishes to reward innovative initiatives which have made a significant contribution to taking on the challenges of:

• raising awareness of the multiple layers and richness of European identities;
• exploiting the full potential of Europe's cultural wealth;
• facilitating access to European cultural heritage; and
• promoting European values such as respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law.

A total of EUR 50 000 will be awarded to a maximum of five winners. The deadline for applications is 7 September 2018 and the award ceremony will take place on 13 December 2018 in Brussels. The EESC Civil Society Prize is open to all civil society organisations officially registered within the European Union and acting at local, national, regional or European level. It is also open to individuals.

The full list of requirements and the online application form are available on our webpage – EESC Civil Society Prize 2018.

The Civil Society Prize, now in its tenth edition, was launched by the EESC to reward and encourage tangible initiatives and achievements by civil society organisations and/or individuals that have made a significant contribution to promoting the common values that bolster European cohesion and integration. In 2017, the Prize focused on quality employment and entrepreneurship.

We kindly invite you to encourage civil society organisations in your country to apply for the EESC Civil Society Prize 2018 and thus help valuable projects win recognition.