The European Academy of Childhood-onset Disability has won a $20,000 grant for its work on expanding access to sports, culture and technology for people with childhood-onset disabilities.
BestCities Global Alliance and the International Congress and
Convention Association (ICCA) awarded the 2024 Incredible Impacts
Programme (IIP) Grant to the Academy during the ICCA Congress in Abu Dhabi.
The Incredible Impacts Programme uses a global platform to
celebrate the “beyond tourism” value of meetings and advance their positive
societal impact. Incredible Impacts offers two cash awards each year – a main
grant of $20,000 USD and a seed fund grant of $5,000 USD. The seed grant was
awarded to the International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation
Society (ICRS) in August.
EACD developed the EACD+ programme to expand access to sports,
culture and technology for people with childhood-onset disabilities, thereby
helping to improve their quality of life. Following the success of EACD2024 in
Bruges, Belgium, EACD seeks to expand the programme to future host destinations,
as well as creating an Impact Task Force that raises awareness of the needs and
rights of people with childhood-onset disabilities and advocate for more
inclusivity and societal participation throughout Europe and beyond.
EACD was one of three finalists shortlisted for the Incredible
Impacts Grant, along with the International Hip Preservation Society (ISHA) and
World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). All three associations
presented their submissions at the ICCA Congress in Abu Dhabi (20-23 October),
where conference delegates, along with a panel of judges, decided on the final
winner.
“We are thrilled to award the Incredible Impacts Award to EACD for
building a better future for people with childhood-onset disability. EACD truly
demonstrates the power of innovative thinking and creativity in the meetings
industry, and is an inspiration for associations around the world that want to
achieve a positive impact and advance their own legacies,” said Loren Christie,
Managing Director, BestCities Global Alliance.
“Each year, we read through nominations that tell stories of
facing challenges, surmounting barriers, and fighting tirelessly to make the
world a better place through business events. We could not be prouder to share
these stories and encourage associations everywhere to consider the influence
of their meetings and the ways they can help to shape a better tomorrow for
everyone.”
“I’m honoured, speechless and very proud of our EACD+ 2024 team”,
said professor doctor Elegast Monbaliu, EACD Bruges 2024 Meeting President and
EACD board member. “This prestigious award is a magnificent recognition for
their dedication and hard work. Together with all partners, we worked hard,
with and for people with childhood-onset disabilities to realise this
remarkable impact program in Bruges in May 2024. By acknowledging their efforts
and supporting our future plans, EACD’s invaluable work can reach even more
individuals in Belgium, across Europe and the world and will continue to create
lasting positive change.”
“ICCA is excited to present this year’s Incredible Impacts
Programme Award to EOD for their incredible efforts in advocating for a better
future for people with a childhood-onset disability, which are an inspiration
to organizations around the world. We look forward to seeing the amazing impact
EOD’s initiatives will have on driving meaningful change and raising public
awareness of the needs and rights of people with a childhood-onset disability,
said Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA.
You can find more information about the Incredible Impacts Programme here and read the shortlisted case studies here:
ISHA,
download here
EACD,
download here
WAN-IFRA,
download here
