ONE Africa 2012 Award Launched

Applications for Innovative African Led, African Driven Advocacy Projects being accepted until September 23rd, 2012

Nominations and applications are now open for the 2012 ONE Africa Award, which honours outstanding contributions by Africans who are leading the fight against poverty and preventable disease on the continent.

The fifth-annual ONE Africa Award celebrates and bolsters innovative Africa-led, Africa-driven advocacy efforts to help advance one or more of the Millennium Development Goals, the world’s blueprint to fighting extreme poverty and disease. The goals specifically address critical issues to development,such as; halving extreme poverty; halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and malariaand providing universal primary education.

The recipient of the ONE Africa Award will receive up to $100,000 US in prize money. Dr. Sipho S. Moyo, ONE'sAfrica Director said. “Each year, the ONE Africa Award unearths the incredible work done by African organizations to uplift their communities.  It's never easy deciding a winner, as there are so many who are deserving.  What we are looking for is an individual, organization, or group involved in direct services in their home African country that directly work to achieve the MDGs. The winner may also be an advocacy group or think tank that engages in activities to hold their governments accountable. Regardless, the distinguishing trait is that the winner must have some innovative advocacy programs within their community and country that raise awareness of the MDGs and/or promotes the attainment of MDGs in their country.”

The 2011 Award winner was Togo's GF2D, Groupe de reflexion et d’action Femme, Démocratie et Développement.   GF2D’s General Secretary explains what winning the award last year meant to them. Léontine Gbadégbégnon said, “The Women’s Reflection and Action Group: Democracy and Development (Groupe de réflexion Femme, Démocratie et Développement or GF2D) is proud to be the first French-speaking organization to receive the “One Africa Award”.  The “ONE Africa Award” makes visible the everyday struggle of civil society organizations across the African continent.

As demonstrated by these previous winners, the ONE Africa Award highlights the dynamism and achievements of African individuals and organizations who are building a better future for their communities, countries and continent.

Find out more at http://one.org/africaaward/

Notes to Editors:

1. Individuals and organizations, based in Africa, that demonstrate innovative approaches and measurable results in helping to meet one or more of the Millennium Development Goals through advocacy are invited to apply.

Applications for the ONE Africa Award will be accepted until September 23rd.  Applications can be sent to The ONE Award, ONE Africa Offices at the following address:

ONE Africa
Medscheme Office Park
1st Floor, Main Building
10 Muswell Road South
Bryanston, Johannesburg
South Africa

Or sent in by email to oneaward@one.org.

Complete criteria for applicants can be found at one.org/africaaward.

The award recipient will be announced in December 2012

2. Devcoms won in 2008 for its work with the media in Nigeria, training and educating journalists and editors on public healthcare issues especially women and children’s health issues. Reducing child and maternal mortality are the fourth and fifth Millennium Development Goals, but some of the least progress has been made on these goals. Devcoms' work immersing reporters in public health issues corresponded with a substantial rise in media coverage of maternal and child health issues in Nigeria, brining needed attention to the challenges and awareness of how they can be addressed. ??

3. SIDAREC, a community organization founded by young people in Nairobi’s slums, won in 2009  for its work engaging and empowering disadvantaged youth in the urban slums of Kenya’s capital and actively preventing violence. The group’s initiatives include the “Slums News” newspaper, the “Ghetto FM” community radio station and a community training centre. Their members also use the arts – drama, puppetry, poetry and dance – to provoke discussion of contentious issues, particularly among members of different ethnic communities.??

4. SEND West Africa won in 2010 for their work to educate and empower citizens to take part in the political process and access the services available tot hem. SEND's model of citizen engagement, education, training and advocacy is backed up by policy research and they not only promote sustainable development but they also ensure that their efforts can be replicated in different regions and countries. 

5. GF2D from Togo won last year.  Their mission is to help women exercise their right to participate in decision making processes of their country. They conduct advocacy in order to influence legislative changes that will positively impact women and children. Their strategy for doing this involves the training of paralegal officers, 600 so far, including youth paralegal officers, who help sensitize communities about heir legal rights and provide legal services in these communities.

GF2D has also trained women to be the Presidents of village and local based committees for development and have also trained potential women candidates for elections.

7. ONE is a campaign and advocacy organization , cofounded by Bono, backed by almost 3 million members worldwide dedicated to combating extreme poverty and disease, especially in Africa. www.ONE.org