Against the background of the human rights situation of the Sinti and Roma in many European states – especially in eastern and southeastern Europe – this prize was created to contribute towards the protection and assertion of the civil rights and the equality of opportunity of the members of these minorities in their respective countries.
At the same time, the prize should be regarded as a signal to politicians, media and social groups in Europe to take action against deeply rooted clichés and structures of prejudice, in order to gradually overcome their everyday marginalization.
The prize is intended to strengthen social engagement and prompt politicians and citizens to actively call for the effective equality of treatment of Sinti and Roma and their integration into all areas of public life.
[1] The prize supports political and social efforts for the lasting protection of the Sinti and Roma people.
The prize honours individuals, groups or institutions primarily from the majority, who face up to the historical responsibility and have been exemplary in calling for an improvement in the human rights situation.