Geoffrey Deckers Award - Previous Winners
Welcome to our collection of past winners of the Geoffrey Deckers Award.
Here, we highlight the organisations who have earned this prestigious award since its inception in 2020, and what accomplishments they have been able to achieve as a result of winning. Join us in recognizing these outstanding organisations that are making a huge difference to animals in laboratories throughout Europe. The award runs each year, so if you think your organisation deserves recognition, make sure you apply!
2023: CAAI, Bulgaria
CAAI were awarded the third Geoffrey Deckers Award in 2023. As well as working with universities and other stakeholders to replace the use of animals in education and training, CAAI used the funds to host the first “Conference on Innovations in Education – Science Without Animal Experiments” in Sofia. Bulgaria remains the number one country in the EU for the number of animals used in experiments for educational purpose, making it an opportune time for a conference on the phasing out of animal testing in the industry.
The event hosted international lecturers from across Europe and the USA and was attended by professors and students across Bulgaria. The conference facilitated dialogue between universities in a range of countries to share knowledge and expertise on how to go about ending animal experiments in education. The event saw the Thrace University and the University of Forestry commit to replacing animal testing in education, as well as positive feedback from a range of attendees that have stated their dedication to reducing the use of animals in laboratories.
A collection of images from the conference on animal testing in education held in Sofia, Bulgaria, featuring the presentation by Cruelty Free Europe's very own Laura Alvarez.
A collection of images from the conference on animal testing in education held in Sofia, Bulgaria, featuring the presentation by Cruelty Free Europe's very own Laura Alvarez.
A collection of images from the conference on animal testing in education held in Sofia, Bulgaria, featuring the presentation by Cruelty Free Europe's very own Laura Alvarez.
A collection of images from the conference on animal testing in education held in Sofia, Bulgaria, featuring the presentation by Cruelty Free Europe's very own Laura Alvarez.
A collection of images from the conference on animal testing in education held in Sofia, Bulgaria, featuring the presentation by Cruelty Free Europe's very own Laura Alvarez.
A collection of images from the conference on animal testing in education held in Sofia, Bulgaria, featuring the presentation by Cruelty Free Europe's very own Laura Alvarez.
2022: Növényi Forradalom (formerly Ébredő Bolygó Alapitvány), Hungary
The Geoffrey Deckers Award was the first major donation to a Hungarian NGO for the cause of animals, and Növényi Forradalom were honoured to be the second recipient of the award which will enable them to be more ambitious than ever.
After winning the award, Növényi Forradalom recruited new staff members to help put their new goals into action. Improving capacity across the organisation also freed resources to enable Növényi Forradalom to help organise rescue/evacuation missions for wild animals held in captivity in the Ukrainian warzone.
One of the other major focuses for the organisation was the ‘Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics’ ECI, where they built a social media campaign which helped exceed the threshold for signatures in Hungary. Looking forward, Növényi Forradalom would like to expand the team further, achieving more success with communicating with respective authorities and the public on the issue of animal testing.
Növényi Forradalom founder Ervin Nagy and other members of the Hungarian animal protection organisation.
Növényi Forradalom founder Ervin Nagy and other members of the Hungarian animal protection organisation.
Növényi Forradalom founder Ervin Nagy and other members of the Hungarian animal protection organisation.
Növényi Forradalom founder Ervin Nagy and other members of the Hungarian animal protection organisation.
2021: EcoVegAnimals, Bosnia
EVA were delighted to be awarded the first ever Geoffrey Deckers Award in 2021. This recognition allowed them to achieve many incredible things since. They delivered a public campaign in 35 different locations across Bosnia and Herzegovina, which involved the distribution of anti-animal testing imagery using billboards, screens, and city lights. For maximum reach, they engaged local media and ran a social media campaign too.
The organisation also pursued communication with public institutions regarding a legal ban on animal testing in cosmetics and with companies regarding animal testing in cosmetics. In addition, EVA launched a certification to award beauty and hairstyle studios that do not use products that have been tested on animals.
EVA are planning a conference on Humane Innovations in Education, which will be taking place in November 2021. This conference is about promoting, presenting, and offering alternatives to universities in order to make a transition or completely ban the use of animals in university education, and will bring together participants from around the world. As the result of the conference, EVA are expecting the announcement of new pledges or commitments from universities to go cruelty free.
Some examples of the campaign materials EVA delivered after winning the Geoffrey Deckers Award, including a billboard and promotional stationary sets.
Some examples of the campaign materials EVA delivered after winning the Geoffrey Deckers Award, including a billboard and promotional stationary sets.
Some examples of the campaign materials EVA delivered after winning the Geoffrey Deckers Award, including a billboard and promotional stationary sets.