Applications for $100,000 ONE Africa Award 2013 Now Open

I’m excited to announce that we have started taking applications for the 2013 ONE Africa Award, a $100,000 USD prize that ONE annually gives to an Africa-based, Africa-founded organisation campaigning for progress toward meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Now in its sixth year, the ONE Africa Award acknowledges the incredible work that Africans are doing to solve their development challenges and change their communities for the better. They often do this against overwhelming odds – whether it be insufficient resources, ineffective governments or social taboos – yet they continue the fight because these organizations and their leaders can see a better future for all of us. The ONE Africa Award seeks to reward them and, we hope, boost their efforts.

Over the past five years, the ONE Africa Award has interacted with organizations in all corners of this rising continent. And while we have only had five winners, we have been able to acknowledge the work of dozens of finalists for the award.

Whether it be 2009 finalist TASO-Uganda providing HIV treatment and care as its core work or the 2011 finalist Sylva Food Solutions creating job opportunities through the development of new markets for indigenous foods, the ONE Africa Award looks for organizations that promote sustainable and lasting change.

As you can see by reviewing the past winners and finalists, such as last year’s winner Positive-Generation of Cameroon or 2010 prize-taker SEND-Ghana, the organizations can be direct service providers in their communities to more research-focused think tanks.

The key distinction for us when scoring the applications is that they tie their main work efforts to innovative advocacy tactics that can change a community or country for good. We also rate organizations that can demonstrate specific, measurable results along with the ability to develop creative partnerships to further their goals. It is also important for the winning organization to be accountable to its community and population while operating transparently.

For the first time this year, we will award bonus points in our scoring process to organizations that have specific activities and initiatives to accelerate achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in these last 1,000 days leading to 2015. The current goals expire at the end of 2015, and we would like to find the most innovative programs trying to make strong, concerted efforts in these last two and a half years.

If your organization meets the criteria, you have until 19 August 2013 to apply. Please also spread the word with your networks and help us get the opportunity far and wide.

Good luck!

By Dr. Sipho S. Moyo, who joined ONE in 2010 as Africa Director. She represents ONE’s global work across Africa and helps mainstream the African perspective in ONE’s policy stances. Prior to joining ONE, she had 18 years of development experience from AfDB, the UN and the World Bank.