The Tolerance Prize is for individuals or groups who have made interesting and positive efforts to promote tolerance in Utrecht society and increase respect and understanding for each other. Every year, the Utrecht public/ inhabitants propose candidates. A jury proposes one candidate as the winner to the Mayor and Aldermen, who take a decision to either award the prize to that candidate or to a different one. The winner receives a certificate and a cash prize of € 7000, which they may spend on the award-winning initiative and related activities. The activities of the initiatives and target groups may include migrants and minorities. The award was established in 1995 by the city council of Utrecht and is ongoing (no end date).
Project Goal
The city of Utrecht is a city for all its inhabitants. However, good relations and social cohesion do not always happen by themselves. The city of Utrecht actively promotes tolerance and acceptance amongst its inhabitants. But the initiative has to be taken by the inhabitants themselves. For this reason, the local government of the city of Utrecht proposed and took on the yearly tolerance price. The price is given to positive initiatives by organisations and/or civil society of the city that promote tolerance, acceptance and good relations. The price can only be won by initiatives that perform activities on a voluntary basis.
Who benefits
The direct benefactors are the winners of the initiative and the direct participants in the initiative. But indirectly and in the long run, all the inhabitants of the city of Utrecht benefit from good relations and enhanced social cohesion.
How it works
Every year, the municipality launches a call for candidates and disseminates this call amongst the broad public. The public may put forward different candidates and initiatives. A jury selects one and puts forward this candidate (initiative) to the Mayor and Elderman. They will, in turn, accept or reject the nomination.
Results
Each year, since 1995, one initiative has been chosen as winner of this prize with the exception of the year 2012. The winner is supported with funds, which may only be used to continue the good work done so far. A list of the winners can be found here: http://www.utrecht.nl/kabinetzaken/tolerantieprijs/winnaars/
Evaluation
The prize has been organised and held for almost 20 years. The people interested increase as well as the activities and initiatives that are put forward as candidates. All in all, the prize has been a success and continues to be so with a growing public.
Funding and resources
Local government funds
About this good practice
- Project dates
- Geographic area
- Netherlands
- City
- Utrecht
- Organisation
- City of Utrecht
- Contact person
- Nurcan Kaya
- Position
- Officer at the city of Utrecht
Details
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