The Council of Europe awards the North South Prize every year preferably to two nominees, each from the North and the South. Further, the council also, when possible, keeps the gender balance in distributing the prize. Moreover, the Prize rewards their commitment to the defense and promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law as well as to the development of intercultural dialogue and the reinforcement of the North-South partnership and solidarity, in conformity with the principles and priorities of the Council of Europe.

The Winners of North South Prize

The Council of Europe awards the prize at an official ceremony in Lisbon. Moreover, the President of the Portuguese Republic; the Speaker of the Portuguese Parliament; the Portuguese Government; the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the President of the Parliamentary Assembly will attend the ceremony.

The North-South Centre is responsible for the organization of the ceremony as well as the public promotion of the Prize and its winners.

Who are eligible for the Prize?

The Council of Europe shall award the prize to grass root activists, personalities and organizations recognized for their commitment to the principles of human rights, democracy as well as the rule of law. Moreover, the Council of Europe determines the laureate of the Prize on a personal basis and not posthumously.

How to Apply for the North South Prize?

In accordance with the Regulations of the Prize, an organization or individual may submit nominations for the award. Moreover, the Council of Europe encourages the following institutions and individuals to make the nominations:

• Member States of the North-South Centre;
• Member States of the Council of Europe;
• Other North-South Centre stakeholders and partners;
• Former North-South Laureates
• International Organisations.

Moreover, the organization or individual should address the nominations to the North South Centre Secretariat, in English or French. Further, the nominator should provide the identification of the nominees, details regarding their achievements as well as the relevant supporting documents, namely motivation letters.

After the application process, a Jury will select the Laureates. The Jury is presided by the Chair of the North-South Centre Executive Committee and is made up of members of the Bureau of the North-South Centre and a representative of the North-South Centre‘s host country if the country’s representative is not a Bureau member.

Deadline

The Council of Europe accepts the nomination for the North South Prize until the deadline 15 September 2019.