Geoffrey Deckers was a dedicated animal protection campaigner who co-founded Dutch animal protection group, Diervriendelijk Nederland, in 1998. He went on to lead many successful campaigns in the Netherlands, across Europe and beyond. Most notable was the ending of the use of chimpanzees in biomedical research in the Netherlands, which saw the last chimps kept in European laboratories transferred to sanctuary in 2006.

A strong commitment to partnership shone through in Geoffrey. Extending hands across the globe he naturally connected with groups worldwide and was always there to support and encourage anyone who wanted to make a difference for animals.

Geoffrey was a much respected and loved Chair of the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments, leading a close team of dedicated campaigners. With the formation and launch of Cruelty Free Europe we were about to embark on a new journey together – with the same passion, determination and vision that Geoffrey had always shown.

The Award

The Geoffrey Deckers Award is our way of honouring and continuing Geoffrey’s spirit for outreach and partnership. This annual award will be granted for:

• conduct of campaigns,
• training,
• coordination and outreach on the issue of animal testing

It will be open to small to medium groups, coalitions and organisations opposed to animal experiments in the continent of Europe.

A single annual award of 6,000 Euros will be given to the successful applicant to mark Geoffrey’s birthday on 13 January each year.

The award is presented on 13 January the following year. Interested groups are warmly invited to send the completed application form to info@crueltyfreeeurope.org.

Download the application form here

The successful applicant will be decided by the Cruelty Free Europe Board, using the criteria below and will be announced on 13 January the following year.

Winners must be prepared to submit a short report outlining what they have done with the funds by 30 October that same year. Extensions or additional updates for longer running projects may be permitted.

Eligibility criteria

• The awarded group should be:
  • based in the continent of Europe
  • committed to working towards ending animal experiments
  • a non-violent, non-intimidatory and non-discriminatory organization.
• Annual income of the group must be less than 100,000 Euros per year
• Awards will be given towards projects related to ending animal testing. This may be a public campaign, training, outreach or coordination activities.
• Successful applications are likely to be those that are able to demonstrate a need for the activity and provide evidence that the activity will be successful and impactful.
• Awards will not be given to:
  • Individuals
  • Projects that could be perceived to support animal testing, described as related to the 3Rs, refinement, ethical review or animal welfare bodies
  • Projects to develop non-animal methods
  • Projects that have already been completed

Previous winners:

2021 EcoVegAnimals, EVA, Bosnia and Herzegovina