The “For the Communities of Józsefváros” award is given in recognition of the sacrificial work of civil and community organizations, individuals, informal communities working for social justice, equality, inclusion, safety and security of Józsefváros, and for their outstanding achievements in environmental sustainability.
The award was open to nominations until 30 June 2024. The winner will be chosen by public vote, open to all residents of Józsefváros.
Please vote only if you are a resident of Józsefváros. Everyone has one vote.
You can cast your vote online HERE.
You can also vote in person at the Mayor’s Office Customer Service Office (1082 Budapest, Baross u. 66-68.) during opening hours.
In case of a tie in the public vote, the final decision will be taken by the appropriate committee of the municipality.
The public vote will be open until midnight on Monday 26 August 2024.
This year, nominations were received for the following communities and individuals, all of whom accepted the nomination: Civilek a Palotanegyedért Egyesület (CaPE), Fókusz Közösségi Tér, Mező Ágnes (member of the Losonci tér Compost Friends).
Please give your support to one of them with your vote to decide who will receive 2024’s “For the Communities of Józsefváros” award.
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CIVILEK A PALOTANEGYEDÉRT EGYESÜLET (CaPE)
The organisation was set up 16 years ago by the people who live and work in the area, with the aim of making Palotanegyed more liveable and restoring its reputation.
Among other things, they conduct research, edit and publish books. They also organise exhibitions and showcases for the artists and non-professionals who live there. They organise walks, educational lectures, and give the institutions of the borough the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas. They represent the interests of residents in various organisations, painting benches, picking up rubbish, planting flowers.
They take part in nationally renowned events and seek contacts with similar organisations internationally. The Bródy Picnic and Bródy Autumn, a Community Christmas Tree Decorating, are community building events where they celebrate with performances by local artists, have dinner around a communal table in the summer and chat with local people. Donations are made to support large families and foundations for the district’s educational institutions.
FÓKUSZ KÖZÖSSÉGI TÉR
Fókusz Közösségi Tér is a popular, child-friendly, safe and inclusive community space in Józsefváros, which is open to families with young children under three. It is also beneficial for parents, as they can participate for free in a variety of activities that promote children’s development and parents’ community life.
They offer a variety of programmes, such as the Family Storytime at Teatime, the Rocking activity, which are not only fun but also develop children’s language and music skills. Parents can also benefit from parenting conversations, where they can exchange experiences and get advice from experts. Closed self-study groups have been set up at the request of mothers, and “stretching” classes help with pre- and post-natal muscle strengthening and stretching. They also accept donations during opening hours, which families can take away with them.
As part of the Tipegő programme, they also offer children a special education assessment, which is an important tool in identifying and treating early developmental problems. The welcoming atmosphere and supportive environment at Fókusz helps all families feel at home. It is a valuable community space where families can find support and relaxation.
The Community Space’s Me/Time programme was awarded the “For the Communities of Józsefváros” Award in 2020.
MEZŐ ÁGNES, member of the Losonci tér Compost Friends
She is an active pensioner living in Práter utca. Twelve years ago she moved here, and five years ago she started to do very intensive civic work in the Civilians for Józsefváros Association (C8).
She considers it important to improve the environment, to create a healthy and dignified life, and to achieve a liveable, humane and decent public life. She seeks to use the wide range of knowledge and experience she has gained in the fields of education, business and adult education for the benefit of the people of Józsefváros.
She believes that it is vital for our survival and the future of our children that we take steps towards a sustainable, healthy life. Composting is an important step towards an environmentally conscious, waste-free lifestyle. The community composter that has been built through this initiative, and the group of residents that has grown into an active and responsible community, is a model of how to start a process.
Community composting is an awareness-raising activity. She sees it as a way to educate, to build community, to organise responsible people and to keep the group active in the long term. A good community is a pleasure to work in. She feels that she has succeeded in bringing together an active, self-organising, self-driven group of citizens who take responsibility for improving the immediate environment and living conditions through the composting project. The many community-building events (composting, collecting compost, exchanging experiences, sharing knowledge, neighbourhood festivals, study walks) have brought many strangers together as friends and encouraged them to volunteer. She says this is the result she is most proud of.
“As long as I have the energy to serve, and as long as people need it, I want to be of service to the world through my civic activity.”