Symbiosis was honored by the European Parliament with the European Citizen’s Prize for 2020, for the activities of the School of Political Studies in Greece, which has been established in collaboration with the Council of Europe. The purpose of the programme is to develop and strengthen democratic processes, strengthen civil society and promote democratic initiatives.
Symbiosis was founded in May 2011 drawing upon collaborations in the Balkans and Europe in education, rights and the anti-discrimination. Based on the premise that practicing human rights protection equals to democratic rule of law, Symbiosis focuses on information and education, freedom of expression, documentation and analysis, public debate and active civic participation, so that people and communities voice their needs and ideas. Symbiosis advocates for the political, social and economic participation of migrants and marginalised communities. Symbiosis’ activities are related to Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union – Article 10 (Freedom of thought, conscience and religion), Article 11 (Freedom of expression and information), Article 13 (Freedom of the arts and sciences), Article 14 (Right to education), as well as the Article 21 (Non-discrimination).
In 2014 Symbiosis in collaboration with the Council of Europe, established the School of Political Studies in Greece, which is a member of the Network of Political Schools of the Council. Since the early 1990s, this Council of Europe initiative aims to develop and strengthen democratic processes, strengthen civil society and promote democratic initiatives. Today, the 21 Schools that make it up focus on the challenges that arise for democracy and its institutions. The educational program of the School in Greece consists of an annual cycle of seminars, participation in the World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, as well as intensive capacity building that focuses on intercultural education, cooperation and dialogue between civil society, policy makers, experts and the media, on topics such as human rights, anti-discrimination, social inclusion, democratic education, freedom of expression, democratic governance, equality and gender-based violence, migration and environmental protection.
European Citizen’s Award – An award for outstanding achievement
Each year, the European Parliament awards the “European Citizen’s Award”. This award is a reward for outstanding achievement in the following areas:
- Projects to promote better mutual understanding and closer connection between the citizens of the Member States or to facilitate cross-border or transnational cooperation within the European Union
- Citizens’ projects or actions involved in long-term, cross-border or transnational cultural cooperation that helps to strengthen a European spirit
- Projects related to the current European Year (if applicable).
- Projects that specifically reflect the values derived from the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.