#WeAreTogether Award to determine the leaders of social change
On May 18, President of Freedom International Group, founder of Charity Aid Foundation Narek Sirakanyan took part in the start of the international "WeAreTogether" Award, which took place in Gorky Park. The project is aimed at determining the leaders of social change from among the community of volunteers and NGOs, and the business community. Among the partners of the Award is Narek Sirakanyan's “Growing up Together” Charity Foundation.
In 2020, as part of #WeAreTogether, millions of people and thousands of hospitals, social institutions and families received support with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event demonstrated readiness of businesses, NGOs and volunteers to jointly solve social problems and launched the international award of the same name.
The project is carried out from May 18 to December 5 in 4 stages: application submission, quarterfinals, district semifinals and final. Applications will be accepted until July 5. #WeAreTogether Award is dedicated to people, their civic duty in helping each other. The goal is to show the contribution of citizens to achieving the national development goals of Russia until 2030.
The start of the Award program was announced on May 18 by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Tatyana Golikova. The event was attended by: First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Sergei Kiriyenko, Chairman of the Council of the Association of Volunteer Centers Artem Metelev, Moscow Business Ombudsman Tatyana Mineeva.
“The award aims to identify and support leaders of social change among entrepreneurs, NGOs, volunteers and journalists. It will be one of the instruments in promoting and replicating the best practices. The grant fund of the award is 90 million rubles, and the winners will receive not only cash grants and public recognition. They will have unique opportunities to promote and implement their ideas, as well as to participate in educational projects, including the programs of "Senezh" Management Workshop. I was convinced by my own experience that this is an incredibly valuable prize!" - says Narek Sirakanyan.
In memory of the contribution of 19 doctors, volunteers, social workers, scientists, and socially responsible businesses to the fight against COVID, the event participants made a small grove in Neskuchny Garden of larch, mountain ash and other trees.
At the event, Narek Sirakanyan announced the intention of his Charity Aid Foundation to contribute to the #WeAreTogether program in the amount of 10 million rubles.
“When our "Growing Up Together" foundation began its work in 2020, we aimed to support charities that had a drop in donations due to the pandemic. Now life is returning to its usual track, but we continue our work, and our contribution to the #WeAreTogether project is one of its vectors. In June, we shall begin issuing grants to charity foundations that help children with developmental disabilities, on an ongoing basis. I am sure that, together, even more people will make the world more transparent, more positive and kind-hearted”, - says Narek Sirakanyan.