STATUTE OF THE EUROPEAN ROMA SPIRIT AWARD 2016

This statute of the EUROPEAN ROMA SPIRIT AWARD 2016 (ERSA 2016) is the only binding document setting out the rules and conditions of the award. Details of the project are outlined in the Manual of the ERSA 2016.

European Roma Spirit Award (hereinafter “ERSA” or “Award”) is focused on presentation of positive initiatives in favor of the Roma ethnic group. The project is also an appreciation of the active efforts of individuals and organizations to improve the living conditions and to achieve a fully dignified integration of the Roma minority. ERSA offers a public recognition, visibility and presentation of activities that promote social inclusion and provide efficient working solutions to the problems of the Roma community. ERSA creates a space for promoting social cohesion, development of intercultural dialogue and elimination of any expressions of intolerance.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT

  • Public recognition of those individuals and organizations which are in their daily work actively involved in improving the situation of Roma.
  • Informing about and promotion of activities of organizations and individuals supporting the integration of the Roma minority on international level.
  • Developing multi-level dialogue between the institutions, organizations and individuals in the public space.
  • Support for building partnerships between organizations and individuals active in the fields of promotion and presentation of national minorities.
  • Presentation and promotion of the positive contributions of the marginalized Roma ethnic group through their rich cultural identity and tradition as an integral part of cultural heritage.

ARTICLE I.
BASIC CONDITIONS

  1. Association for Culture, Education and Communication (ACEC) is the author of the project and reserves all copyright and other related rights protected in accordance with the applicable legislative provisions.
  2. The official name of the event is referred to as “European Roma Spirit Award 2016”. In the abbreviated form it is acceptable to use ERSA 2016.
  3. The Organizer:
    a)
    May announce the award by itself or invite co-announcers after addressing them priorly. The organizer may invite one or more co-announcers;
    b) Actively prepares and announces the particular year of the award;
    c) May be a legal person only, i.e. a company, civil association, foundation, association, non-profit organization, professional association, other non-governmental
    organization, and/or international organization;
    d) Controls the process of preparation and implementation of the Project;
    e) Contracts the third parties, particularly service providers and lessors of premises, on their own behalf, on its own account and responsibility.
  4. The project is designed as an announcement of a particular year of the ERSA; receiving applications/nominations (projects), selection of the final nominations (three in each announced category) and presentation of winners in each category during the award ceremony.
  5. On the day of the announcement of the particular year of the award, the organizer will publish all relevant information about the project, including the announcement of categories, the nature, scope and form of receiving nominations, a timetable specifying the date for sending nominations and/or applications, or other organizational information regarding the process of nominations and award.

ARTICLE II.
THE AWARD

  1. ERSA award is granted especially for:
    a) The results achieved during the implementation of projects aimed at support and development of the Roma minority;
    b)  The implementation of projects aimed at extracurricular educational activities for children and youth;
    c)  The implementation or long-term support for projects aimed at social assistance and support of the Roma community;
    d)  The exceptional projects or long-term work which helps to improve the status and living conditions of the Roma population;
    e) The protection and development of the identity and culture of the Roma minority;
    f) Fostering of intercultural dialogue and understanding between the Roma minority and majority population or other minorities;
    g) Spreading a positive message of mutual tolerance and understanding.
  2. The ERSA award is presented in following categories:
    a)
    Non-Governmental Organization: Award is granted for activities implemented by a civil association, association, foundation, non-profit organization, professional association or other non-governmental organization.
    b)
    Company & Employer: Award is granted for activities conducted by business entities and organizations, or institutions such as kindergarten, university, research facility.
    c)
    Municipality: Awarded to municipalities and self-governing regions, which through their governments and combined efforts contributed to dignified standing of the Roma community and to their coexistence and understanding with the majority population.
    d)
    Personality: Awarded to individuals who, through their activities, continuously contribute or have contributed to improving the situation of the Roma community and to the development of intercultural dialogue.
    e)
    Media: Awarded to a journalist or mass medium for spreading positive, objective, sensitive and balanced information about the Roma minority, or media who otherwise significantly contributed to promotion of understanding and tolerance in society.

Article III.
NOMINATIONS

  1. Nominations in announced categories can be submitted by natural or legal persons. Nomination can be submitted also by an individual or an organization as an application – nominating themselves.
  2. Every submitted nomination must have two other subjects/sponsors supporting it listed in the initial nomination. These subjects can be either natural of legal persons.
  3. Any individual or legal entity can be nominated for the award if it meets these criteria for nomination:
    a) Natural person shall have a permanent residence in the territory of the country for which he/she was nominated, or he/she must implement his/her activities in the territory of said country, as well as he/she has to provide criminal records not older than three months after the nomination (without any record).
    b) Legal person shall have its registered office located, or carry out its activities, in the territory of the country for which it was nominated.
  4. Preparatory and Organizing Committee (POC) is entitled to exclude a nomination in case there are known facts, which lead to a serious breach of the existing legislation.
  5. Nomination process does not have restrictions and it is possible to nominate individuals and legal entities repeatedly, or nominate them for the award every year.
  6. Nomination for the award must be received by the Organizer with fully and truthfully completed application form filled in according to the organizational instructions and nomination process in a given year.
  7. Nomination process has two rounds. Nominations advancing to the second round are chosen by a Committee composed of the members of the Preparatory and Organizing Committee. The winners of respective categories are selected by a Specialist Panel of Judges (Jury).
  8. Members of POC are proposed and selected by the Organizer and other announcers or co-announcers of the award. POC membership is honorary.
  9. The basic evaluation criteria for nominations include:
    a)
    A time period of implementation of nominated activities;
    b) Results of the activities and their measurability;
    c) Motivational impact of the activities on their surroundings, environment, and other projects;
    d) Uniqueness, originality and creativity of the solution;
    e) Positive public perception.
  10. Only nominations that meet basic form and content requirements set out in the nomination process and are received in the timeframe set out in the award announcement can be included in the evaluation process of that year. The Organizer has the right to request, if necessary, additional information required for evaluation.
  11. Each nomination can obtain from 0 to 100 points in the evaluation. Nominations must receive at least 65 points to advance to the final round.
  12. POC has a right to recommend moving the nomination to a different category if it agrees this action is appropriate based on the characteristics of the nomination.
  13. POC has a right to decide not to advance the nomination in any category to the second round if the nomination does not meet the criteria of given category or any other announced categories.
  14. In addition to announced categories, in exceptional cases deserving special consideration, POC may suggest to the Jury to present extraordinary awards – In Memoriam, Honorable Mention, and a special Jury Award.
  15. Members of the Specialist Panel of Judges (Jury) are proposed and selected by the Organizer and announcer(s).
  16. Jury assesses nominations in announced categories. It has at least five members.
  17. Meetings of POC and Jury are closed to public. Information on the discussion of the individual nominations is considered confidential.
  18. The final results of the Jury vote are secret until their official announcement at the award ceremony. The Jury constitutes a quorum if an absolute majority of its members is present. The Specialist Panel of Judges (Jury) and Act of the Year Jury must assess each nomination advanced to the final round by POC under this Statute.
  19. Apart from the decision of the Jury, the Organizer may only grant a Public Award.

In case of any ambiguities or need for clarifications of the Statute, even if only in his interpretations, the Organizer is obliged to contact the Association for Culture Education and Communication (ACEC), author of the project, in writing. Without written permission of ACEC, it is not possible to make any changes to any segment of the European Roma Spirit Award.

This Statute shall enter into force on 1.1.2016