What is the Essl Social Prize?
The Essl Social Prize is an international award for social achievements donated by Martin and Gerda Essl. It was created in 2007 and first awarded on March 14, 2008.
The Essl Social Prize is an expression of a far-reaching sense of social responsibility. By awarding it, the Essl family seeks to offer sustainable assistance and support to those who help people in need.
The Essl Social Prize is awarded to projects by private social initatives or social entrepreneurs.
Every year, a total amount of 1 million euro is available in recognition of trailblazing and efficient projects and ideas worthy of support, devised by personalities with pioneering spirit in the social field.
Principles
Regulations of the Martin and Gerda Essl Foundation
The Articles of Incorporation of the charitable private foundation created by Martin and Gerda Essl state that from the year 2008 onwards, an amount of 1 million euro will be distributed by the founders of the international Essl Social Prize.
Two committees, one for nomination and one for the selection of the prize-winner, support the founders and the spokesperson of the family advisory board in choosing the social projects. The funds made available are earmarked for (exclusive) use by the projects and should be spent in an effective way.
The members of the Essl family have been businesspeople for many generations. They are deeply rooted in the Christian faith, which to them is more than continued tradition, but a belief they fill with life every day.
Aims
- Support of tried and tested social projects and/or future-oriented ideas by personalities with pioneering spirit in the social field
- Recognition of the social entrepreneurs for their archievements and commitment
- Education and advancement of social entrepreneurs
- Know-how transfer from businesses to social enterprises, so as to further entrepreneurial thinking and improve long-term efficiency
Tasks and commitments of the prize winners
Criteria for and obligations of the prize-winners:
The winners of the Essl Sozial Prize are social entrepreneurs who must have translated into reality a social project which is:
- exceptional by international standards,
- groundbreaking,
- sustainable and
- successful.
The prize-winners have to undertake that all the funds granted under the prize (by the foundation and from third-party donations, if any) will be used:
- properly,
- economically,
- or targeted relief in need
- and subject to a report on the use of funds.
For the next few years the prize-winners agree, at no charge, to act as co-judges in the process of selecting future winners of the Essl Social Prize, seeking to help in identifying on an annual basis special social projects which comply with the sponsoring criteria.
