Call for applications 2024
Do you run a project that takes up current social challenges and applies innovative solutions?
SozialMarie – Prize for Social Innovation is announced for the 20th time: We are looking for tried and tested, implemented, effective social innovations in all sectors in Central and Eastern Europe.
The best 15 social innovations will be awarded the SozialMarie on May 1, 2024 in Vienna. The first three main prizes are endowed with €15,000, €10,000 and €5,000, with a further twelve prizes of €2,000 each.
Timeline
Start of call
07-11
2023
End of call
16-01
2024
Nominations
28-02
2024
Start of public voting
09-04
2024
End of public voting
16-04
2024
Award Ceremony
01-05
2024
Start of call
11
2024
Who can apply?
Projects run by private individuals, commercial companies, the social economy (civil society initiatives, NGOs, NPOs, associations) and the public administration are eligible.
Projects implemented in Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia are invited to apply.
What projects can be submitted?
SozialMarie is a prize for successfully implemented socially innovative projects. Submitted projects are sufficiently implemented and are still running at the time of submission. Completed projects and project ideas are not eligible.
The projects’ innovative character meets our Criteria for Social Innovation.
Project submissions must comply with the terms and conditions.
How to apply?
Submit a project using the application form.
The project submission will be completed in two languages: in the national language of the submission area and in English.
Projects can be submitted until January 16, 2024, 11:55 p.m. Successful project submission will be confirmed by e-mail.
Visit our FAQ for more detailed information.
Criteria for Social Innovation
Novelty
Innovation in the project idea – Novelty: in the matter or at the place
Does the project deal with new societal challenges?
Does the project use new social solutions?
Does the project deal with target groups or topics that have so far received little attention?
Is the project owner (the organisation, the company, the public authority, the private individual) newly involved in the field of social innovation?
Involvement
Innovation in accessing target groups – Involvement: passive, active or independent
Is the target group involved in the project, or have those affected developed the project themselves?
What are the concrete and sustainable benefits of the project for the target group?
Does the project promote the potential of the target group?
Does the project contribute to the social appreciation of the target group?
Impact
Innovation in implementation – Impact: quantitative, qualitative
Is the implementation of the project idea imaginative, creative, inventive and courageous?
How effective is social innovation, what results and impacts can be observed for whom?
Does the project react to changing requirements, for example in the target group, the problem, the framework conditions?
Is there cooperation between different (professional) groups with diverse competences or scientific expertise?
Example effect
Innovation in public perception – Example effect: direct or indirect
Is the project networked with other organizations, companies, institutions?
How is the project integrated into local and regional environments?
Are other organisations, companies, sponsors, supporters, media and politicians curious about the project?
Can the proven solution be transferred to other contexts?
Evaluation
Validation
The application documents will be examined with regard to the terms and conditions.
Evaluation
Two project evaluators each from Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia and Slovenia make a preselection for the expert jury from the submissions of the respective countries.
Jury Decision
Based on this preselection, the jury decides in three steps:
1. Determination of the maximum 35 nominations
2. Identification of the 15 prize-winning projects
3. Selection of the three main prizes
If necessary, project visits take place.