Published: Tue, 09 November 2021
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Today (9 November), three Irish organisations were honoured at the award ceremony of the European Citizen’s Prize in the European Parliament, Brussels.
Women’s Aid, Family Carers Ireland and Irish Girl Guides received this prestigious award in recognition of their respective exceptional achievements in promoting EU values.
Fine Gael MEPs Seán Kelly, Deirdre Clune, Frances Fitzgerald, Colm Markey and Maria Walsh nominated Women’s Aid for the 2021 Prize due to the frontline support the charity has provided since the outbreak of Covid-19, with figures showing an increase by over 40% in calls to their helplines.
“Women’s Aid have been doing tremendous work for almost 50 years to stop domestic violence against women and children in Ireland. This award is a testament to that work, and a way to increase awareness of domestic violence at EU-level,” said Seán Kelly, Leader of Fine Gael in the European Parliament.
Following the postponement of the 2020 award ceremony due to the Covid-19 pandemic, today’s ceremony was a joint celebration of both the 2020 and 2021 laureates.
The Fine Gael MEPs also nominated 2020 winners, Family Carers Ireland, in order to highlight and pay tribute to the vital role of carers in society.
“We have many wonderful people in Ireland who have dedicated a big part of their lives to going above and beyond in caring for their loved ones. Family Carers Ireland do tremendous work in supporting and promoting the health, wellbeing and quality of life of family carers and those for whom they care,” said Kelly.
Ireland was one of just five Member States with two recipients of the Prize in 2020. The second winner was Irish Girl Guides. IGG were recognised for their great work teaching young girls about the EU by way of its Europe Badge project, in partnership with European Movement Ireland.
The three Irish winners will be also be presented with medals at a national event in Dublin on 19 November.
