In 2008, the European Parliament introduced the European Citizen's prize. It is intended to reward on an annual basis individuals or groups who have particularly distinguished themselves in strengthening European integration by the expression of European cooperation, openness to others and practical involvement in the development of mutual understanding. It is awarded upon nominations of Members of European Parliament. The Prize The European Citizen's Prize was launched by the European Parliament in 2008 to recognise exceptional achievements by Europeans. In that year, 37 people from 19 member states were selected for the prize in recognition of relevant work done. They received their medals in national award ceremonies and had the chance to showcase their work and meet MEPs at the European Parliament in Brussels on 7–8 November. The awarding of the European Citizen's Prize has continued annually since then, with some projects being linked to the theme of the European year, a specific area of focus which changes every year. The Citizen's Prize may be given for activities that either facilitate cross-border cooperation within the EU or promote better mutual understanding and closer integration between citizens and member states. It may also be awarded for day-to-day activities reflecting the values enshrined in the EU's charter of fundamental rights. The laureates can be citizens, groups, associations or organisations. Every year each MEP has the right to nominate one candidate. 2008 winners Santiago SÁNCHEZ-AGUSTINO RODRÍGUEZ José María MUÑOA GANUZA Associação Nacional de Municípios Portugueses Kärntner Konsensgruppe Duna TV|Duna Televízió Verein zur Förderung des Städtepartnerschaft Leipzig-Travnik Lajos OSZLARI AEDE-Canarias Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) Polska Akcja Humanitarna Naturpark Bayerischer Wald e.V. Divadlo z Pasáže Jochen GEWECKE Towarzystwo Bambrów Poznańskich Bürger Europas Federação de Associações de Juventude dos Açores Πυροσβεστικό Σώμα Ελλάδος Europees Musikfestival voor de Jeugd Francisca Sauquillo Pérez del Arco Campus 15 Franz-Josef MEYER Grażyna ORLOWSKA-SONDEJ Donaubüro-Ulm Kolpingjugend Europa Ulla RÜDENHOLZ Jean Pierre DAULOUEDE Susanna LIPOVAC und Kinderberg International e.V. Amministratori del Comune di Lula 2002-2007 Kolegium Europy Wschodniej im. Jana Nowaka-Jeziorańskiego Santiago SÁNCHEZ-AGUSTINO RODRÍGUEZ Tomasz RÓŻNIAK Wojciech WRZESIŃSKI Raissa MURUMETS Emberi Jogi KÖZPONT Michael NIELSEN Luigi Ciotti G700 Blog Oud Limburgse Schuttersfederatie 2010 winners Jugendhilfsorganisation Schüler Helfen Leben Międzynarodowy Festiwal Filmów Młodego Widza Ale Kino! Ing. Wolfgang NEUMANN Margit Ricarda Rolf - Mobbing-Zentrale - Germany Union européenne des étudiants juifs Csaba Böjte Lothar CZOSSEK Fate VELAJ Elżbieta LECH-GOTTHARD Carlo Petrini Inicjatywa Wolna Białoruś Fundacja Świętego Mikołaja Open Society Foundations Stowarzyszenie