Doesn't a year go quickly! It's time again to seek nominations and ultimately a winner for the Tuberculosis Survival Prize 2009, an annual award, supported by a grant from Eli Lilly and Company. The prize recognizes innovation in TB/MDR-TB advocacy and social mobilization. The award winner will receive a certificate and $2000 to scale up and/or replicate their advocacy efforts. The winner will also be profiled on the TBSP website. The deadline to enter for the prize is 31st October 2009. No submissions can be considered after that date.

All applications need to be written in English.

Download the Tuberculosis Survival Prize 2009 nomination form

Background

Over the past few years the importance and urgency to involve HIV/TB, TB/MDR-TB affected communities in the fight against TB has been recognised. Everyone has a role to play in this battle. Many HIV/TB, TB/MDR-TB advocates and activists, and the role that they play, however, goes unrecognised. The Tuberculosis Survival Prize rewards the innovative work of these unsung heroes and heroines and to make a contribution towards those efforts.

The Tuberculosis Survival Prize 2008 was won by Speranta Terrei of Moldova. It was accepted on behalf of the organization by South African media celebrity and TB survivor Gerry Elsdon in Paris.

Speranta Terrei, meaning 'hope of the land', is a grassroots organization. Every year it reaches about 16,000 Moldovans with messages on recognizing TB symptoms and preventing transmission. In cooperation with TB dispensaries, Speranta Terrei sends treatment supporters called moderators (often former TB patients themselves) to patient's homes along with the days medication. These moderators are community members who function as intermediaries and peer councellors, bringing the correct dosage and words of encouragement to those on the TB treatment journey. Last year on winning the prize, Feodora Rodiucova, President of Speranta Terrei said:"All members of Speranta Terrei are overjoyed and full of gratitude on the awarding of the Tuberculosis Survival Prize to our organization. We accept the prize in the name of TB patients and the many students, practitioners, and community members of Balti who conducted information campaigns on TB and who helped TB patients to complete treatment."

With the $2,000 award Speranta Terrei won they were able to provide transport and meals for several TB treatment moderators, to create an educational film and also community theatre to raise awareness about TB/MDR-TB.

Who is eligible to enter?

Individuals, groups or NGOs working in the field of HIV/TB, TB/MDR-TB are all eligible to enter the contest for the Tuberculosis Survival Prize. Applications from people directly affected by TB/MDR-TB are actively encouraged, as are those from organizations who were previously nominated for the Tuberculosis Survival Prize last year.

How to enter?

To apply for the Tuberculosis Survival Prize, applicants should complete the prize entry form. Applicants will also need to provide a photograph of themselves.

• Applicants should describe in 700-1000 words, what they as an individual, group, or NGO working in the field of HIV/TB or TB MDR-TB have been doing over the past two years to develop and implement projects and programs that stimulate social mobilisation around TB/MDR-TB, and/or grassroots activities that inform, empower and enable individuals with TB/MDR-TB to advocate for themselves, and/or have created patient led models that ensure greater support of people undergoing TB/MDR-TB treatment to improve adherence.
• Applicants should describe in 700-1000 words how they will use the prize money to scale up or replicate advocacy efforts if they are the prize winner.

Judging the winner

The applications will be judged by an invited panel representative of a variety of sections of the global TB community.

Prize Presentation

The prize will be presented to the winner in connection with the International Union of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease in Cancun, Mexico, in early December 2009, or in the absence of the award winner, by someone else on his/her behalf. The Tuberculosis Survival Project is unable to fund transport and accomodation to Mexico.

Other

Please send applications to the TBSP Project Director, Paul Thorn, at paulthornlondon@hotmail.com by 31st October 2009 at the latest.

Disclaimer

The judging panel’s decision is final. By applying for the prize, applicants give their permission for the TBSP to post information they submit on their applications to the TBSP website. This information will be used to inform others about applicants' projects and initiatives. By applying, applicants also give their permission for any photographs they submit to be used in any publicity related to the prize, the Tuberculosis Survival project website, and any other newsletters or printed material to inform the public about TBSP work in conjunction with the Lilly MDR-TB Partnership.

Download the Tuberculosis Survival Prize 2009 nomination form