2012 ONE Africa Award calls for applications

14 Sep 2012

The 2012 ONE Africa Award, which honours outstanding contributions by Africans who are leading the fight against poverty and preventable disease on the continent are calling for nominations and applications from individuals, organisations or other groups based in Africa. Closing date for applications is 23 September 2012.

2012 ONE Africa Award calls for applications

The fifth annual ONE Africa Award celebrates and bolsters innovative Africa-led, Africa-driven advocacy efforts to help advance one or more of the Millennium Development Goals, the world's blueprint to fighting extreme poverty and disease. The goals specifically address critical issues to development, such as halving extreme poverty; halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and malaria and providing universal primary education.

The recipient of the ONE Africa Award will receive up to US$100 000 in prize money. Dr Sipho S. Moyo, ONE's Africa Director said, "Each year, the ONE Africa Award unearths the incredible work done by African organisations to uplift their communities. It's never easy deciding a winner, as there are so many who are deserving.

What we are looking for is an individual, organisation, or group involved in direct services in their home African country that directly work to achieve the MDGs. The winner may also be an advocacy group or think tank that engages in activities to hold their governments accountable. Regardless, the distinguishing trait is that the winner must have some innovative advocacy programs within their community and country that raise awareness of the MDGs and/or promotes the attainment of MDGs in their country."

Previous winner

The 2011 Award winner was Togo's GF2D, Groupe de reflexion et d'action Femme, Démocratie et Développement.

Léontine Gbadégbégnon, GF2D's general secretary, said, "The Women's Reflection and Action Group: Democracy and Development (Groupe de réflexion Femme, Démocratie et Développement or GF2D) is proud to be the first French-speaking organisation to receive the "One Africa Award". The "ONE Africa Award" makes visible the everyday struggle of civil society organisations across the African continent.

The ONE Africa Award highlights the dynamism and achievements of African individuals and organisations who are building a better future for their communities, countries and continent.

For more, go to www.one.org/africaaward.