Socialna inovacija snuje rešitve za pereče družbene izzive. Ustvarja prostor za nove pristope, daje inovativne odgovore in utira nove poti. Socialna inovacija se bodisi odzove na novo socialno vprašanje bodisi z novo prakso poišče rešitev za znano težavo. Ukrepe lahko sprejme prizadeta socialna skupina sama, v vsakem primeru pa mora biti pri njihovem izvajanju vsaj vključena. Na ta način socialna inovacija ustvarja trajnostne rešitve, ki drugim predstavljajo zgled in jih navdihujejo.
Definicija socialne inovacije, Unruhe Privatstiftung
O nagradi
SozialMarie je nagrada za socialne inovacije, ki se vsako leto podeli 15 izjemnim projektom. S prvim razpisom za prijave leta 2004 in podelitvijo nagrad leta 2005 je bila to prva nagrada za socialne inovacije v Evropi. Poleg finančnega priznanja, ki znaša do 55.000 €, SozialMarie ponuja predvsem javno platformo za socialno inovativne projekte v srednji in vzhodni Evropi.
Wanda Moser-Heindl and Friedrich Moser
SozialMarie, ki že od svojega začetka deluje mednarodno, si je pridobila velik ugled v Avstriji, na Madžarskem, Češkem, Slovaškem, Hrvaškem in v Sloveniji. Zasebna fundacija Unruhe Privatstiftung, ki sta jo ustanovila Wanda Moser-Heindl in Friedrich Moser leta 2000, upravlja z nagrado.
Pohvale za pogumne projekte
Beyond novelty of the idea, the SozialMarie Criteria for Social Innovation focus on involvement of different groups, effectiveness of implementation and best practice example. SozialMarie awards only successfully implemented projects and is a premium seal of quality for effective social innovation. To promote and disseminate exemplary projects, as well as to advance the discussion about social innovation are SozialMarie’s main goals.
Award ceremony
From all submissions to the annual call, the expert jury nominates max. 35 projects for the prize and consequently selects the best 15 projects to be awarded and announced on May 1 at the Award Ceremony in Vienna. The first three prizes are endowed with €15,000, €10,000 and €5,000; the other twelve prizes are endowed with €2,000 each.
Active patronage
Inspiring personalities overtake the active patronage of awarded or nominated projects of their choice every year. The role of the patrons is an active one, they accompany or support the project over the following year. Patrons announce their chosen projects at the annual award Ceremony on May 1.
Audience Award
The Audience Award gives everyone the chance to vote for their favourite project among each year's nominees. The winner receives € 1,000 for educational purposes. The Audience Award is separate from the jury prizes.