The National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism will award the Simon Wiesenthal Prize annually from 2021. The Simon Wiesenthal Prize will be awarded to individuals or groups in recognition of outstanding civic engagement to combat Antisemitism and/or promote Holocaust education. It is intended to foster and reinforce awareness and efforts within society to counteract Antisemitism and educate people about the Holocaust.

The Board of Trustees of the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism shall select the winner(s) of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize on the basis of the shortlist drawn up by the Simon Wiesenthal Prize Jury.

1.1. Prize money and prize categories

The Simon Wiesenthal Prize is endowed with an annual sum of 30,000 euros. It is awarded in two categories:

• Civic engagement to combat Antisemitism (7,500 €)
• Civic engagement to promote Holocaust education (7,500 €)

In addition, a main prize endowed with 15,000 € shall be awarded for outstanding civic engagement to combat Antisemitism and/or promote Holocaust education.

The Board of Trustees of the National Fund may set out thematic areas of focus in its annual prize announcement and, in particular, specify criteria for the overall winner and, if applicable, the other recipients. These criteria have a recommendatory function for determining the prizewinners.

1.2. Who can submit an entry for the Simon Wiesenthal Prize?

Individuals or groups from civil society in Austria or abroad can submit an entry or be nominated for the Simon Wiesenthal Prize, regardless of their nationality.

Candidates are not subject to any age restrictions. Minors must be supervised by their legal guardian in keeping with the provisions of civil law.

Groups that have no legal personality (e.g. school classes, groups of friends) can also submit an entry or be nominated. Associations and civil society organisations may enter the competition provided that the activities for which they wish to be recognised are carried out on a non-profit basis.

1.3. What kinds of civic engagement are eligible to be recognised by the Simon Wiesenthal Prize?

Prospective prizewinners have made an outstanding contribution – through projects, initiatives or in other meaningful ways – towards combating Antisemitism and/or educating the public about the Holocaust by

• actively fostering, consolidating and imparting knowledge and awareness about the Holocaust;
• raising awareness in society about the dangers of Antisemitism in the present;
• increasing understanding of the mechanisms and consequences of Antisemitism and thereby strengthening democratic culture in everyday life;
• acting as a beacon of civil courage, thereby highlighting the value and importance of the involvement of each and every individual;
• advocating for measures to counteract Antisemitism and all forms of Holocaust relativisation;
• fostering understanding and sensitivity in areas where a critical attitude towards Antisemitism should be particularly encouraged;
• contributing to the development of a common awareness in the fight against Antisemitism
• or otherwise contributing towards a culture of remembrance that is innovative, sustainable and dedicated to educating people.

Special consideration will be given to projects, initiatives and achievements that create fresh impetus and place new accents, that set an example for others and appear capable of having a lasting impact on the present and the future.

Who is eligible to enter?

The Simon Wiesenthal Prize aims to recognise individuals or groups who have made an outstanding contribution through their special civic engagement to combat Antisemitism and/or to promote Holocaust education. They may include, for example: private persons (individuals or groups); researchers; grassroots initiatives; civil society organisations such as clubs, associations, foundations, non-profit limited liability companies; interest groups, regional affiliations such as local clubs and associations, i.e. organisations emerging from the middle and grassroots of society; human rights organisations; non-governmental organisations; welfare institutions, cultural organisations, educational and training institutions; youth organisations, family associations, students and student groups, apprentices and apprentice groups, as well as youth and schoolchildren groups.

The following are excluded from participation:

• Members of the Federal Government, State Secretaries, members of a Provincial Government, members of the National Council, the Federal Council or any other general representative body or of the European Parliament, as well as persons who are employed by a political party or hold a leading position in a federal or provincial organisation of a political party, as well as ombudsmen, the President of the Court of Audit and persons who have exercised one of the aforementioned functions within the last five years;
• Persons who are employed by a club of a general representative body and parliamentary employees within the scope of the Parliamentary Employees Act;
• persons who are assigned to a club of a general representative body for service;
• employees of legal entities engaged in civic education in the field of political parties;
• Employees of the cabinet of a Federal Minister or offices of a State Secretary or of another organ of the Federal Government or of a province;
• persons employed under the Federal Civil Servants Act 1979 or the Contract Staff Act;
• governmental and other public institutions that are engaged in activities against Antisemitism and/or for Holocaust education;
• Commercial (i.e. for-profit) initiatives;
• Employees of the National Fund;
• Members of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize Jury;
• Members of the Board of Trustees or Committee of the National Fund and their families.

2.1. Prize announcement

The Prize Announcement will be published on the website of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize hosted by the National Fund at the address https://www.wiesenthalpreis.at.

2.2. Types of entry

Candidates may submit an entry in their own right (personal entry) or be nominated by a third party (nomination).

Entries may be submitted in German or English.

2.3. Where can entries for the Simon Wiesenthal Prize be submitted?

Entries can be submitted on the website of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize hosted by the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism.

2.4. Submission period for entries

Entries can be submitted electronically. The date of entry is the date on which the entry is received by the National Fund.

Entries for the Simon Wiesenthal Prize – by an individual or group in his/her/its own right or on behalf of another – may only be submitted during the submission period. Entries received thereafter can no longer be considered.

2.5. Form and content of the entries

Entries must be submitted online using the form available on the Simon Wiesenthal Prize website. Attachments must be uploaded electronically.

The entry should state why the candidate(s) would be (a) worthy recipient(s) of the Prize and demonstrate the candidate’s achievements in the areas set out in the Prize Announcement.

On the entry form the candidate must provide all information required by the National Fund to

• ensure that the candidate meets the formal entry requirements
• examine whether the activities subject of the entry comply with the objectives of the Prize

Participation shall occur exclusively in accordance with the provisions of these Guidelines.

Submitted entries must include the following:

• Curriculum vitae of the applicant(s)
• Any documents relating to the activities that are to be considered for the Prize
• Documentary evidence of any projects carried out to date

Candidates are strongly advised to make electronic submissions in a timely manner as a high volume of data or technical issues may lead to difficulties when uploading the submission. Candidates are responsible for any delays that are incurred due to such difficulties.

2.6. Submission Entry form

Entries are to be made by submitting the completed entry form online and confirming the submission by clicking on the link in the subsequent confirmation email. The confirmation email confirms the receipt, but not the completeness, of the submitted entry documents.

2.7. Timeliness and completeness of entries

Entries will only be considered if they are received on time and in full. The National Fund may request missing documents if a submission is incomplete; however, it is not obliged to do so.

Candidates whose entries cannot be considered further because they were incomplete or not filed within the submission period will be informed in writing.

2.8. Costs

There is no charge for taking part in the competition. Costs incurred during the preparation and submission of the entry will not be reimbursed.

Candidates will be assessed by the Simon Wiesenthal Prize Jury on the basis of their entries and in accordance with the Rules of Procedure issued by the Board of Trustees.

Information on the members of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize Jury can be found on the Simon Wiesenthal Prize website of the National Fund.

The Simon Wiesenthal Prize Jury shall assess the candidates solely on the basis of the information contained in the submitted documents and shall submit a shortlist of potential prizewinners to the Board of Trustees within four weeks, providing reasons for its shortlisted entries in writing. The Jury may shortlist up to five candidates and rank them in assessed order of merit.

The Board of Trustees shall choose the prizewinners on the basis of the shortlist drawn up by the Simon Wiesenthal Prize Jury.

The prizewinners and all other candidates will be informed of the Board of Trustees’ decision by email.

5.1. Prize money

Prizewinners are responsible for paying any taxes and fees that may be levied on the prize money.

5.2. Ceremony

The Simon Wiesenthal Prize will be presented at a ceremony held at the Austrian Parliament.

The organisation of the award ceremony and other tasks that are entailed shall be carried out by the General Secretariat in cooperation with the Parliamentary Administration.

6.1. Confidentiality

The submitted entry documents and the deliberations of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize Jury and the Board of Trustees are confidential.

Under no circumstances may candidates approach the Members of the Jury or the Board of Trustees about the Prize for the entire duration of the procedure. Any attempt to do so will result in elimination from the competition.

6.2. Privacy notice

The personal data provided in the submitted entry documents are required to process the entry in question (and, as such, to carry out the tasks of the National Fund) and will be used for this purpose only. The data will not be passed on to third parties and will be kept for the purpose of documentation.

The publication of personal data of the prizewinners is necessary in order to comply with the legal obligation pursuant to Sec. 2e (7) of the Federal Law on the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism.

With regard to personal data, candidates generally have the right to information, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, data portability and objection (Art. 15 to 21 of the GDPR).

In the event that the lawfulness of data processing is contingent on the consent of the candidates, said candidates have the right to revoke their consent at any time. The revocation does not affect the lawfulness of the processing that took place on the basis of their consent up to the time of the revocation (Art. 7 (3) GDPR).

6.3. Rights of use

The National Fund reserves the right to reproduce the submitted material for presentation, media and publicity purposes and to translate it for this purpose.

The prizewinners must mention their receipt of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize in any publications or publicity measures concerning the activity for which the award was received.

6.4. Liability

Candidates must indemnify and hold the National Fund harmless against all claims by third parties in connection with the participation of the respective candidate in the Prize Announcement and conferral of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize.

6.5. Further Information

Further information on the Simon Wiesenthal Prize entry procedure can be found on the Simon Wiesenthal Award website of the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism.