Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) – The North Rhine-Westphalian state parliament will honor particularly committed citizens with a volunteer medal from next year. “They are the good souls of society,” said state parliament president André Kuper. The medal, which is worth 15,000 euros, is intended to honor outstanding, selfless commitment and motivate other people to get involved as well.
Kuper announced that the prize will be advertised next spring with an application deadline of June 30. The prize money can also be distributed to several people or groups. However, it is earmarked and can continue to be used for the award-winning commitment.
Proposals can come from members of the state parliament as well as from society. The jury is to be composed of the state parliament presidency and the volunteer network. The annual presentation of the award is scheduled for Volunteer Day on December 5th. According to Kuper, around six million people in North Rhine-Westphalia alone are involved voluntarily and free of charge in their free time.
