In October 2005, GONG applied to Council of Europe’s “Young Active Citizens” Award Contest with “I Vote for the First Time” project. The meeting of the international jury of the Council of Europe Award took place in Strasbourg on 5 December 2005, and selected five winners
In October 2005, GONG applied to Council of Europe’s “Young Active Citizens” Award Contest with “I Vote for the First Time” project. The meeting of the international jury of the Council of Europe Award took place in Strasbourg on 5 December 2005, and selected five winners – GONG’s “I Vote for the First Time” project won the award as the second best project of all received applications!
Sandra Pernar, the GONG Deputy President, received an award from Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, the Council of Europe’s Deputy Secretary General, on January 31, 2006 in Strasbourg. Along with NGOs from Germany, the Russian Federation, Hungary and Northern Ireland, GONG was one of five winners for its project which has been implemented for six seasons with more than 105,000 student participants in high schools across Croatia. All awarded projects add to inclusion and commitment to democratic society through educating youth and promoting active citizenship.
This award is recognition of the longstanding work of GONG and an encouragement to continue implementing the “I Vote for the First Time” project. As stated during the award ceremony, the gains made by this project are needed in most European countries.