European Association Awards
Celebrating excellence in the Association community
About
The European Association Awards reward projects that can inspire the whole Community. They highlight Association knowledge and team members who usually stay out of the spotlight. The goal is to learn from best practices and share knowledge. The ceremony is held during the European Association Summit.
4 Categories
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
Rewards projects built around the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, either within the Association, or externally, with regard to its members, stakeholders, or the general public. The Award will also consider the concrete impact of the presented projects.
Digital Communication
Rewards the use of innovative digital tools in the optimisation of an Association's outreach or of its ability to represent the interests of its members towards institutions and the general public.
Event Innovation
Rewards innovation in the rethinking of an Association's meetings and events. It can pertain to the design and format of an event, or to the use of new technologies to make it more inclusive, efficient, sustainable, or able to reach more stakeholders.
Impact
Rewards projects focusing on the overarching vision and values of an Association rather than on its day-to-day operations. This can include a legacy project, a charity initiative, a mentoring or educational programme, or a policy impact.
After registrations are closed, the Secretariat verify eligibility. Applications are shared with the jury for evaluation.
Application Process
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Any Association (i.e.: membership-based, not-for-profit, organisation) conducting some of its activities in Europe can apply, regardless of their ESAE membership.
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Nominations from Association Management companies directly, public authorities or corporate entities are not eligible.
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An Association can apply for two different categories but with different projects.
Eligibility Criteria
Any questions?
If you have any questions, either on the topics, the process, or about sponsoring an Award, don't hesitate to contact with ESAE's Secretariat at info@esae.eu
European Association Awards 2024
Winners
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION (DEI)
UITP’s Gender Equality Policy
UITP: The International Association of Public Transports
Until recently, there were no women on UITP’s Executive Board and very few speaking on their panels. They developed a gender diversity policy to bring gender parity in all they do. The Executive Board is now 1/3 women, the Management Board is balanced, and UITP has doubled women speaking on its panels.
EVENT TRANSFORMATION
eSleep Europe 2023ESRS
European Sleep Research Society
ESRS developed a new online format for their 3-day congress and filled the need for the diffusion of scientific developments while increasing the accessibility of information internationally and building a stronger sleep network in Europe. eSleep Europe was supported by over 36 organisations and hosted 10 joint scientific sessions.
DIGITAL COMMUNICATION
Connecting the Dots
MedTechEurope
MedTech Europe launched a series of mini-documentary-style films produced by BBC StoryWorks. Each film presents to policymakers and the general public the stories of patients, healthcare professionals, and innovators, providing a profound understanding of the impact and potential of the medical technology sector - from proven solutions to cutting-edge innovations.
IMPACT
Adoption of an inter-institutional EU Declaration on Cycling Cycling Industries Europe
CIE launched a campaign to elevate cycling in EU policy by adopting an overarching strategic policy to position cycling similarly to other transport and tourism modes. They collaborated with other cycling associations, cities, and regions to maximize its impact. Hence demonstrating the power of collaboration between business, civil society, and governmental supporters. The campaign successfully influenced the EU Commission to adopt an overarching strategy on cycling, raising its status to be on par with other mobility and tourism sectors. The adopted declaration now includes 36 commitments, which can potentially double in impact.
Finalists
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The ICCA Future Leaders Council
ICCA: The International Congress and Convention Association
The ICCA Future Leaders Council was introduced in 2021 to address the underrepresentation of young professionals in ICCA’s governance and community. The council was set up to nurture and promote new talent in their industry, and to facilitate sharing ideas and strategies to keep ICCA current, relevant, and positioned as the thought-leaders for the Association meeting community.
Eurosif JEDI Community of Practice
Eurosif: European Sustainable Investment Forum
The project aims to create and support a community of practice for investors. Its goal is to help EU asset managers understand climate justice better and encourage them to make investments through a lens of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). The project focuses on addressing anti-racism and fostering diversity and inclusion from a racial perspective. Currently, these areas are not as advanced as gender equity within the EU context.
UITP’s Gender Equality Policy
UITP: The International Association of Public Transports
Until recently, there were no women on UITP’s Executive Board and very few speaking on their panels. They developed a gender diversity policy to bring gender parity in all they do. The Executive Board is now 1/3 women, the Management Board is balanced, and UITP has doubled women speaking on its panels.
Event Transformation
ePoster Precision: The 7-Minute Surgical Snapshot Series
EAES: European Association for Endoscopic Surgery
The ePoster Precision initiative was born out of the EAES’s commitment to enhancing surgical education and engagement. As a surgery-focused association, they recognized that traditional lengthy videos often failed to captivate their audience. To address this, they set out to create a format that would resonate with modern viewing habits and draw participants to the forefront.
eSleep Europe 2023
ESRS: European Sleep Research Society
ESRS developed a new format for a 3-day congress and filled the need for the diffusion of scientific developments in the year between the established pattern of 26 biennial congresses while increasing accessibility of information internationally and building a stronger sleep network in Europe. eSleep Europe was supported by over 36 organisations and hosted 10 joint scientific sessions.
MMFA virtual coffees
The Virtual coffee series, launched in 2021, was an opportunity for members to have informal online conversations with key stakeholders. The series helps multiply touchpoints with members, keeping the community alive by focusing on topics driven by member interests. The originality of the series? Speakers are mostly members: they drive and deliver the content as peer-to-peer education sessions.
Digital Communication
Social Media Campaign: The Antwerp Declaration
Cefic launched an organic social media campaign to mobilise organisations to reach 1000 signatures on the Antwerp Declaration. A customised social media toolkit used by signatories exponentially amplified the campaign, encouraged organisations to sign up, and made the message a key topic on social media. The effort resulted in a social media reach of 20+ million.
#NoSalternative
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#NoSalternative is a project comprising 12 short videos distributed to promote the variety of salt uses and highlight the value and positive impact of salt and its applications. Each video highlighted one or multiple uses of salt through humour and relevant information, targeting the EU Brussels bubble, the wider public and the EUsalt membership.
Connecting the Dots
MedTech Europe launched a series of mini-documentary-style films produced by BBC StoryWorks. Each film presents to policymakers and the general public the stories of patients, healthcare professionals, and innovators, providing a profound understanding of the impact and potential of the medical technology sector - from proven solutions to cutting-edge innovations.
Impact
Adoption of an inter-institutional EU Declaration on Cycling
CIE launched a campaign to elevate cycling in EU policy by adopting an overarching strategic policy to position cycling similarly to other transport and tourism modes. They collaborated with other cycling associations, cities, and regions to maximize its impact. Hence demonstrating the power of collaboration between business, civil society, and governmental supporters. The campaign successfully influenced the EU Commission to adopt an overarching strategy on cycling, raising its status to be on par with other mobility and tourism sectors.The adopted declaration now includes 36 commitments, which can potentially double in impact.
The ESCRS IOL Calculator
ESCRS: The European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
The ESCRS IOL Calculator is an invaluable online tool designed to assist ophthalmologists in calculating intraocular lenses (IOLs) for cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange. Precise calculation is vital for post-surgery vision & positive patient outcomes. The automation of this process & providing trusted data has benefitted ESCRS's 7.5k members & beyond, in reducing errors & saving time.
EUROPEN Single Market Expansion Award
EUROPEN and JA Europe, a leading organisation delivering education programmes for STEMs skills and entrepreneurship, collaborated to mark the 30th anniversary of the EU Single Market and launched the Market Expansion Award, putting in competition students' start-ups, and challenging them to demonstrate their ability to seize the opportunities of the Single Market to drive their businesses forward.
Jury Members
Liesbeth Switten
Secretary General, AIB
Chair of the European Association Awards 2024
Chiara Gasparotto
Deputy CEO, ESTRO
Co-Chair ESAE's Governance & DEI Community
Angela Guillemet
Executive Director, INCON
Board Member, ESAE
Glen Burridge
Executive Director, EFG
Co-Chair ESAE's Sustainability & Legacy Community
Sharon Ashton
Open Academy & Events Director, EURORDIS
Co-Chair ESAE's Events Management Community
Remi Deve
Chief Editor, Boardroom Magazine
Susan West
Adjunct Faculty, Executive Education, Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management
Karen Gonzales, CEM, CMP-F
Director, Global Development, IAEE
ASAE Member, International Associations Advisory Council
Awards Supporters
The 2024 European Association Awards 2024 are supported by:
European Association Awards 2023
Winners
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION (DEI)
Funded and driven together with Electrolux Food Foundation, the 'Like a Chef' program is an employment training initiative that provides professional culinary skills to underprivileged individuals. The program emphasizes on sustainable cooking methods with a zero food waste approach over 9 weeks. The program empowers various groups in need, including immigrant women, single parents, and orphaned teenagers, to provide for themselves and their families. With over 1000 graduates, there have been 8 training centers around the world (Poland, Sweden, Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, Brazil).
EVENT TRANSFORMATION
#FoodFuture Ideas Fest
In June 2022, FoodDrinkEurope broke away from the traditional Brussels annual event script. Rather than opting for a classic conference hall, the Association erected three spacious tents in the picturesque garden of the Museum of Natural Sciences, where they proudly presented their inaugural #FoodFuture Ideas Festival and Summer Party. This extraordinary event showcased 23 groundbreaking ideas that shaped the future of food.
DIGITAL COMMUNICATION
The growth of AIJA’s LinkedIn page
AIJA developed a digital communication strategy on LinkedIn to increase impact, visibility, and presence. They did not use financial resources and achieved results only through sponsor visibility, collaboration with international associations, and work with management committees and interest groups. This strategy, which proved to be very successful, allowed Them to increase followers from 13,585 in January 2022 to 17,750 in December 2022, which is equivalent to a +30% growth.
IMPACT
Love your liver
At the International Liver Congress in London, UK, EASL introduced a range of impactful social projects aimed at enhancing liver health awareness and fostering early detection and screening. These initiatives signify EASL's long-term dedication to expanding and fortifying these endeavors to ensure lasting and sustainable impact.