Deadline: 06-Jun-21
Nominations are now open for the Intercultural Achievement Award, a key project in intercultural dialogue that honors successful, innovative projects in the field of intercultural and inter-religious dialogue on an Austrian and international level and is open to those who recognize and use opportunities in intercultural coexistence.
It also honors those who successfully break new ground in intercultural dialogue, who have mastered a specific challenge through intercultural action, and who promote the dialogue between cultures and religions through their media presence.
The Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs has defined the “Dialogue of Cultures” to be a clear priority in International Policy.
Austria builds upon a long tradition in the field of intercultural dialogue that is deeply rooted in a history of diversity and pluralism and that has been strengthened through multi- and bilateral dialogue initiatives.
Topics
Dialogue is a multifaceted concept. Thematic priorities according to the Austrian strategic focus facilitate compatibility of the submitted projects. Therefore, the intercultural projects applying for the IAA must be active in at least one of the following areas:
- Art/Culture
- Youth
- Human Rights
- Global Citizenship Education
- Integration
Awards Categories
The IAA is awarded to the best project in each category:
- International:
- Category Sustainability: “Best ongoing project on the cross-cutting topic of environment and interculturality”
- Category Recent Events: “Best project related to the priority theme 2021 Covid-19 pandemic”
- Category Technology: “Best application of technology in the context of an intercultural project”
- Category Innovation: “Most innovative intercultural project”
- Category Media: “Best media contribution for intercultural understanding”
- Austria:
- Special prize “Integration in Austria” (applications only possible from projects based and active in Austria)
- Special prize “Best Austrian project” (applications only possible from projects based and active in Austria)
Award Details
An independent jury in Vienna consisting of experts in the field of intercultural dialogue will then undertake the final selection. There will be one winner per category.
- Category Sustainability: prize money amounting to EUR 10.000
- Category Recent Events: prize money amounting to EUR 6.000
- Category Technology: prize money amounting to EUR 6.000
- Category Innovation: prize money amounting to EUR 6.000
- Category Media: prize money amounting to EUR 6.000
- Special prize “Integration in Austria”: prize money amounting to EUR 6.000, ? (applications only possible from projects based and active in Austria).
- Special prize “Best Austrian project”: prize money amounting to EUR 6.000, ? (applications only possible from Austrian organizations/citizens).
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place in autumn 2021. The awardees will be invited to attend the ceremony.
Eligibility Criteria
Organizations and/or persons whose projects mainly focus on intercultural and interreligious dialogue and contribute to its success are eligible to apply.
Projects that have already met these criteria in the past and continue to meet them may be submitted again. The specific eligibility criteria per prize category are summarized as follows:
- Category Sustainability: “Best practice project on the cross-cutting topic of environment and interculturality”
- Projects that are managed and implemented by non-profit organisations (including non-government organisations as well as associations, foundations, charitable educational institutions or religious organisations) and/or commercial organisations. Government, science, research or international institutions are excluded from admission.
- The project offers solution approaches in the cross-sectional topic of environment/ecology and intercultural/interreligious challenges.
- The project’s activities must focus on a minimum of one of the following areas: Art/Culture, Youth, Human Rights, Global Citizenship Education and Integration.
- The organisation must be in operation for at least 2 years.
- The project must be running for at least 1 year already. This criterion not only ensures the viability of the project idea but also allows for the measurement of impact.
- The project cycle should be set at a minimum of 2, preferably 5 years.
- Category Recent Events: “Best project with reference to the priority theme 2021 Covid-19 pandemic”
- Projects that are managed and implemented by non-profit organisations (including non-government organisations as well as associations, foundations, charitable educational institutions or religious organisations), individuals and/or private entities. Government, science, research or international institutions are excluded from admission.
- The project’s activities must focus on a minimum of one of the following areas: Art/Culture, Youth, Human Rights / Gender, Global Citizenship Education and Integration.
- The project must have been implemented between 2020 and 2021 and may also consist of a successful single action in the field of intercultural or inter-religious dialogue. This prize category is aimed at projects that have reacted to current events or developments and have contributed to intercultural understanding, also on an occasional basis. This year, projects related to the Covid-19 pandemic are eligible for admission.
- Category Technology: “Best application of technology in the context of an intercultural project”
- Projects that are managed and implemented by non-profit organisations (including non-government organisations as well as associations, foundations, charitable educational institutions or religious organisations), individuals and/or private entities. Government, science, research or international institutions are excluded from admission.
- The project’s activities must focus on a minimum of one of the following areas: Art/Culture, Youth, Human Rights / Gender, Global Citizenship Education and Integration.
- The project must use innovative technological solutions that promote intercultural and/or interreligious dialogue.
- The project must be running for at least 1 year already. This criterion not only ensures the viability of the project idea but also allows for the measurement of impact.
- Category Innovation: “Most innovative intercultural project”
- Projects that are managed and implemented by non-profit organisations (including non-government organisations as well as associations, foundations, charitable educational institutions or religious organisations), individuals and/or commercial organisations. Government, science, research or international institutions are excluded from admission.
- The project’s activities must focus on a minimum of one of the following areas: Art/Culture, Youth, Human Rights, Global Citizenship Education and Integration. The project should be characterized by an innovative methodical or creative approach within the dialogue of cultures.
- The project must be characterized by an innovative methodological or creative within the scope dialogue of cultures and religions.
- The project must be running for at least 1 year already. This criterion not only ensures the viability of the project idea but also allows for the measurement of impact.
- Category Media: “Best media contribution for intercultural understanding”
- Submitted contributions can encompass all classic media (i. e. print, TV, radio etc.) and social media. Submitted contributions must have verifiably and visibly impacted the public sphere in a positive way.
- The contribution must have verifiably achieved a wide impact for the intercultural dialogue.
- Complete journalistic, media works or dialogue platforms focusing on raising awareness, understanding and peaceful coexistence are also encouraged to apply for the IAA.
- Only contributions published after January 01 January 2020 will be accepted for further consideration. The dialogue platform must have been operative for at least 1 year.
- Submitted contributions must have been published in non-state classic or social media.
- Applications for the special prizes are only possible from organizations / persons based in Austria.
For more information, visit https://www.bmeia.gv.at/europa-aussenpolitik/auslandskultur/dialog-der-kulturen-und-religionen/intercultural-achievement-award/