Press release
PRIZE FOR MUNICIPALITIES
Call for participation
The competition for the Dosta!-Congress Prize for Municipalities is now open.
This second edition follows last year’s successful launch of the prize by the Dosta! campaign and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities as part of their ongoing work to strengthen the role of local authorities in the field of Roma and minority rights’ protection.
The Dosta!-Congress Prize is awarded to three municipalities from Council of Europe member States whose creative and innovative initiatives most effectively ensure diversity in community life and the active democratic participation of the Roma.
The top three projects will receive the Dosta!-Congress of Local and Regional Authorities award during a ceremony in Strasbourg on the occasion of the Congress’ 16th Plenary Session at the headquarters of the Council of Europe.
Eligibility
The competition is open to municipalities/local authorities from Council of Europe member states who have run projects targeting the Roma population in 2008.
Criteria for participation
Local authorities should be the main stakeholders of the initiative. Projects should be innovative in their field of action, and be transferable as a model of good practice for implementation by municipalities elsewhere.
In addition, projects or initiatives submitted should fulfil at least one of the following criteria. They should:
• improve the effective access of Roma to social rights (housing, employment, education, health);
• promote intercultural and interethnic dialogue;
• promote diversity in community life;
• promote active democratic participation;
• raise public awareness on Roma rights and culture and fight against the stereotypes and prejudices towards Roma (through the media, education system, institutions, and local authorities).
How and when to apply?
Candidatures must be submitted using the official application form, and be accompanied by:
- proof of budgetary allocation;
- proof of the active participation of the target Roma community.
Application forms can be downloaded from the Dosta! campaign and Congress websites as of 12 September 2008.
Application forms can be downloaded from the Dosta! campaign and Congress websites as of 12 September 2008.
The deadline for submission of application forms by participating municipalities is:
31 October 2008.
Application forms can be sent by mail or e-mail to:
Ivana D’Alessandro
Council of Europe Roma and Travellers Division
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex
e-mail: isabelle.hofstetter@coe.int
or
Dolores Rios Turón
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Council of Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex
e-mail: Martine.ROUDOLFF@coe.int
Jury
The Council of Europe Roma and Travellers Division, in cooperation with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will be in charge of the pre-selection of the submitted projects/initiatives. An international jury will then nominate the winners of the prizes. Members of the jury will be personalities in charge of political and minority issues, as well as Roma representatives. The prize-giving ceremony will take pla
