The European Citizen’s Prize, created in 2008, rewards individuals or groups who show that the European spirit is very much alive, by putting exactly those values into practice, be it through small or bigger initiatives. European Parliament Vice-President and Chancellor Dita Charanzová honour the project delegates representing the 38 winning projects during a prestigious Award Ceremony in the Brussels’ Hemicycle.

Brussels

CHARANZOVÁ, Dita (Renew, CZ)

ceremony

Delivery EE2024 (T)

Citizens Prize 2023: extracts from the award ceremony

Moderator announces beginning of award ceremony, 3 shots

Clari Cantores Choir singing Ode to Joy (European anthem), 7 shots

SOUNDBITE (English), Dita CHARANZOV&#193; (Renew, CZ), EP Vice-President, With no doubt the European project couldn't be a success without you, without absolute commitment, immense contribution, or even the extraordinary patience of the citizens that want to create and support a united Europe, united Europe built on European ideals and principles.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dita CHARANZOV&Aacute; (Renew, CZ), EP Vice-President, You have all made a huge contribution to society and we are so grateful. Congratulations.

Moderator voice: So let's begin with the first batch of our prize winning projects. We now welcome Martino Barba from Czechia's La Vida Loca Endowment Fund, representing the project Life in a Suitcase. A network of Czech maternity hospitals provide these children entering the foster care system, a suitcase with the first belongings which they can keep for life. It helps them to know that they were loved and cared for from the beginning. Mitigating any potential feelings of unwantedness and disbelongings later in life.

Moderator voice: We now welcome Martina OPAVA, redeiving the award from Dita CHARANZOV&Aacute; (Renew, CZ), EP Vice-President, 4 shots

SOUNDBITE (English), Martina OPAVA, La Vida Loca Endowment Fund, This is the proof of unconditional love and acceptance for children raised in substitute care. By saving the child's first memories and. Hand and footprints. Photographs. The first pacifier or the Hand-knit toy. We help the child to learn about their first years that would otherwise be forever forgotten. Psychologists World Round agreed that happy early childhood memories are the key to our healthy mental development. 9 shots

Moderator voice: We're now travelling East, from Estonia. We welcome Andraes LEMBER, co-founder of PropaStop, a blog that Estonian defense leaders started to help Estonian and EU citizens to safely navigate the complicated information space, to develop citizens skills, to think critically and to recognize misinformation and hostile propaganda.

SOUNDBITE (English), Andres LEMBER, Propastop project, Estonia, It is essential to acknowledge that a full scale war is ongoing in Europe, and this is not a distant issue. Ukraine, which is geographically closer to Brussels than Talinn, my capital, is fighting for its freedom and at the same time for preservation of European democratic values. In essence, Ukraine fighting on our behalf. Slava Ukraini.

SOUNDBITE (English), Andres LEMBER, Propastop project, Estonia, During its almost eight years of operation Propasto has debunked hundreds of Russian propaganda lies. We have exposed individuals and networks that operate in the interest of the enemy in Estonian soil. The enemy has attacked us in its propaganda channels. We have experienced several cyber attacks. We have been sued, but we continue to act because we have a mission.