Since 2007, the Task Force “Dialogue of Cultures” of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs serves as a contact point for and originator of various intercultural and interreligious dialogue activities. The Task Force aims to promote understanding through education and the exchange of information, the rapprochement between different cultures and religions, the strengthening of intercultural and interreligious competences and the inclusion of marginalised groups and religions - nationally as well as internationally. These efforts actively seek to promote peaceful coexistence worldwide.
We encourage you to look into the Best Practise Database, as information on the winning projects of the past years as well as other noteworthy projects in this space is available there.
Topics
Dialogue is a multifaceted concept. Thematic priorities according to the Austrian strategic focus facilitate compatibility of the submitted projects. Therefore, projects applying for the IAA, while promoting intercultural or interreligious dialogue in a broad sense, must also be active in at least one of the following areas:
- Art/Culture
- Youth
- Human Rights
- Global Citizenship Education
- Integration
- Gender Equality
Awards
The Intercultural Achievement Award (IAA) is awarded in the following categories:
- Category Recent Events: “Best intercultural and/or interreligious project related to a current event”
- Category Sustainability: “Best ongoing intercultural and/or interreligious project focusing on the environment”
- Category Technology: “Best application of technology to support an intercultural and/or interreligious project”
- Category Innovation: “Most innovative intercultural and/or interreligious project”
- Category Media: “Best media contribution for intercultural and/or interreligious understanding”
- Category Religious Freedom: “Best Project in the Area of Religious Freedom and Peaceful Coexistence of Different Religions”
General eligibility criteria
Applications can only be made by non-governmental organisations (including associations, foundations, charitable educational institutions, religious organisations and commercial organisations) whose projects mainly focus on intercultural and interreligious dialogue. Government, science, research or international institutions are excluded from admission.
Projects that have already been submitted in the past but that have not won may be submitted again.
Projects may be submitted for up to two award categories as long as they meet the listed eligibility criteria.
Only fully or at least partially implemented projects that can already show verifiable impact and outcomes will be taken into consideration. Please refrain from sending concepts of projects that have not yet been implemented.
Applications:
A detailed application form with guiding questions can be found online
here. All questions must be answered in English in a clear and precise manner (clarity), be structured (detail and focus) and should convince the reader of the project purpose and objectives (persuasiveness). If possible, please fill out the word document digitally (
formularzami zgłoszeniowymi) and refrain from sending us a scan of the printed out application form filled in by hand.
Send your application per e-mail to dialogue(at)bmeia.gv.at.
