No 74/2015
10 December 2015
Grassroots organisations from Germany and Finland win first prize
in the EESC 2015 Civil Society Prize for combating poverty
Initiatives from Ireland, France and Poland share 2nd prize
The five winning initiatives present snap-shots of what is being done by thousands of voluntary
groups and NGOs across Europe. Each of the projects tackles the 2015 theme “Combating poverty”
in its own way and demonstrates that poverty undermines all aspects of well-being in society,
including education, long-term health, housing, access to employment and family relationships.
"In awarding the 2015 Civil Society Prize, the EESC rewards outstanding initiatives aimed at
combating poverty in Europe by improving economic and social inclusion. I am proud to be able to
congratulate the honourable winners of the 2015 EESC Civil Society Prize on their achievements. I
also take this opportunity to commend, on behalf of all my colleagues representing European civil
society vis-a vis the institutions, all the women and men fighting courageously to alleviate
suffering, to reduce the impact of poverty – or banish it altogether – in their own countries", said
the EESC President George Dassis.
The German organization Armut und Gesundheit in Deutschland, which provides comprehensive
medical care for homeless people and the Finnish Y-Foundation, which promotes health and social
welfare through provision of affordable, good quality rental housing were awarded EUR 11 500
each. The three initiatives from Ireland, France and Poland were awarded EUR 9 000 each. Fáilte
Isteach, a Third Age initiative (Ireland), is a community-based project where older volunteers
welcome migrants and refugees to Ireland through giving English conversation classes. Uniterres,
an initiative of A.N.D.E.S. (France), provides social and solidarity-based food shops with fresh,
quality local produce sourced from local producers of fruits, vegetables, herbs and eggs. The social
Integration Centres, which are an initiative of The Barka Foundation for Mutual Help (Poland),
address issues of education and vocational training for the long-term unemployed, including the
disabled, former prisoners, refugees and addicts.
The five winning projects were chosen from a list of over 100 projects. Some of the initiatives are
being replicated in other European countries and even beyond which confirms their success and
shows that they can serve as examples of best practice for others to consider. The record number
of entries for the 2015 Civil Society Prize shows that poverty is a real issue in Europe with almost
10% of the population in the EU being severely deprived.
The Civil Society Prize, now in its seventh year, is awarded for “excellence in civil society
initiatives”. Each year, the prize covers a different aspect of the EESC’s activities. The 2014 prize
was dedicated to civil society organisations working to integrate Roma communities.
Further details about the 2015 Civil Society Prize are available here. You can watch the video of the
winning projects here.
For more information, please contact:
Siana Glouharova - EESC Press Unit
E-mail: press@eesc.europa.eu
Tel: +32 2 546 92 76/ Mob: + 32 (0) 473 53 40 02
EN
The European Economic and Social Committee represents the various economic and social components of
organised civil society. It is an institutional consultative body established by the 1957 Treaty of Rome. Its
consultative role enables its members, and hence the organisations they represent, to participate in the EU
decision-making process. The Committee has 350 members from across Europe, who are appointed by the
Council of the European Union.