The prize

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.   

 

 

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