On the day of Geoffrey’s birthday, 13^th January, we are proud to announce the recipients of the first Geoffrey Deckers Award, EcoVegAnimals, EVA, from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ecoveg Animals is a young animal protection organisation working for a better deal for animals in Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond. Last year, EVA successfully helped end the use of live animals in the education programme at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Sarajevo .

EVA will use funds from the Geoffrey Deckers Award to encourage other faculties at the university to follow suit. They will also use funds to support outreach to companies and consumers on the importance of bringing animal testing to an end.

The award honours Geoffrey Deckers, the much respected and loved former Chair of the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments and Cruelty Free Europe, who passed away in June 2020. Geoffrey, a dedicated animal protection campaigner who co-founded Dutch animal protection group, Diervriendelijk Nederland, led many successful campaigns in the Netherlands, across Europe and worldwide.

The 6,000 euro award will be made annually to groups showing commitment to ending animal tests for projects most likely to move the dial for animals suffering in laboratories.

Michelle Thew, Chair of the Board of Cruelty Free Europe, says: “Geoffrey was always there to support anyone who wanted to make a difference for animals. The Geoffrey Deckers Award is our way of honouring and continuing Geoffrey’s spirit for outreach and partnership. The Board is delighted to be able to award the first ever prize in his name to EVA.”

Maida Sabeta, EVA, says: “We are very happy to be the first ever group honoured with this award. Knowing how much Geoffrey did for animals for decades, we will gladly continue his work and hopefully end animal testing as soon as possible.”