• Vaccination: rewarding NGOs, schools and kindergartens promoting vaccination in children (0-18 years old)
• Healthy lifestyles: rewarding cities and schools promoting healthy lifestyles for children (6-18 years old)

The two calls respond to (1) vaccine hesitancy driven by false information that is decreasing vaccination coverage rates in the EU; and (2) the Tartu Call signed in 2017 by Commissioners Andriukaitis, Navracsics and Hogan, that comprises 15 action points focussing on the promotion of healthy lifestyles, particularly in schools, and on encouraging inter-sectoral cooperation.

Interested parties are invited to check the criteria and present details of their initiative by 29 April 2020 at 11.00 in the morning, CET, Brussels time, using the online form.

Initiatives could include: (1) healthy lifestyles: actions creating awareness campaigns, promotion of a healthy diet, smoking prevention measures; (2) vaccination: actions tackling vaccination from a specific disease perspective, providing information on vaccines, and promoting access to sustainable immunisation services, among others.

Each category (NGOs, schools and kindergartens for the call on vaccination; and cities and schools for the call on healthy lifestyles) will be rewarded with EUR 50,000 for the first prize winner, EUR 30,000 for the second prize winner and EUR 20,000 for the third.

The three winners in each category will be announced in November 2020 at the EU Health Award Ceremony in Brussels. Members from the shortlisted initiatives (cities, NGOs, schools and kindergartens) will be invited to attend.

Within the general context of the EU Health Policy Platform, the 2020 EU Health Award honours cities and schools that positively impact their communities by promoting healthy lifestyle among children (6-18 years old) and NGOs, schools and kindergartens promoting vaccination in children (0-18 years old). As well as celebrating their achievements and commitment, the EU Health Award raises awareness of the vital role they play in strengthening participative democracy and active citizenship in public health.

Only applications from entities established in one the following countries are eligible:

1. EU Member States[2];
2. Iceland and Norway;
3. Countries which have a bilateral agreement with the European Union, in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No 282/2014 on the establishment of a third Health Programme for the Union’s action in the field of health (2014-2020)[3]. Currently Serbia, Moldova and Bosnia-Herzegovina have a bilateral agreement with the European Union. Please check the Commission website for an updated list of countries.

[2] ‘For UK applicants: Please be aware that following the entry into force of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement(*) on 1 February 2020 and in particular Articles 127(6), 137 and 138, the references to natural or legal persons residing or established in a Member State of the European Union are to be understood as including natural or legal persons residing or established in the United Kingdom. UK residents and entities are therefore eligible to participate under this call.

[3] Regulation (EU) No 282/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 on the establishment of a third Programme for the Union’s action in the field of health (2014-2020) and repealing Decision No 1350/2007/EC, OJ L 86, 21.3.2014, p. 1.

More information:

• 2020 EU Health Award