Diakonie Prize 2024: award for sustainable projects in Austria

Diakonie Prize 2024: award for sustainable projects in Austria

Leibnitz, Österreich - Graz, December 6, 2024-The Diakonie Award 2024 was awarded with prize money of 10,000 euros to outstanding diaconal projects in Austria. The Evangelical Church in Austria thus distinguishes two parishes that are committed to sustainability and the education about ME/CFS, the most difficult form of long covid. 7,000 euros go to the innovative “circular garden” of the Evangelical Community Association Leibnitz-Radkersburg, while the “Action Group ME/CFS” from Mödling receives 3,000 euros. At the award ceremony, which took place in the Graz country house as part of the Evangelical Synod, Diakonie Director Maria Katharina Moser emphasized the importance of these initiatives.

The circular garden in Leibnitz not only offers space for encounters from various groups, but also acts as a ecological project that creates a valuable habitat for flora and fauna. This inclusive initiative shows how diaconal engagement contributes to "life in abundance". On the other hand, the ME/CFS campaign group, led by Heidrun Jannach, is struggling to make the necessary resources and information for those affected by multiple illness and to draw attention to the inadequate medical care in Austria. This valuable educational work underlines the severe life situation of the patients, which often suffer from restrictions and need for care, as described in the report of evang.at

Diakonie Prize 2024 - a sign of appreciation

The Diakonie Prize 2024 was only recently advertised, which is supposed to remind you of the diaconal identity of the Evangelical Church. Projects can be nominated by October 31, 2024. The criteria include embedding in local social structures as well as sustainable implementation and communication with church and public partners. The awarding of the price is also intended to promote the courage and creativity, to actively address social challenges in the communities and to solve, as is clearly outlined in the tender.