The Zero Project  is a research-driven approach to identify, curate, and share inclusive solutions, as intended and encouraged by Article 32 of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Its objective is to work towards a world with zero barriers. The Zero Project works with a worldwide cross-sectoral network of innovators, decision-makers, and opinion leaders. Each year, it researches, selects, and awards innovative solutions from around the world that support the rights and lives of persons with disabilities.

For the 2024 awards, the Call for Nominations is centred around Article 24 of the UN CRPD, which focuses on the themes of Inclusive Education and ICT-based solutions. The Zero Project received a total of 523 nominations from 97 different countries. Of these nominated practices EASPD is proud to announce that we, as well as 10 of our members, and 4 of our partner organisations from the ECDUR project, have been shortlisted!

EASPD members that have been nominated are Pädagogische Hochschule Salzburg Stefan Zweig  (Austria), Shekulo Tov Group  (Israel), AIAS Bologna onlus  (Italy), Agenzija Sapport  (Malta), Centro de Educação para o Cidadão com Deficiência, CRL (Portugal), ONCE Foundation  (Spain), and Down Syndrome Kosova (Kosovo). 

Simultaneously, we and our members in the ECDUR project -  the UNICEF Regional Office in Geneva  and partner organisations: Keystone (Moldova), Imago Foundation  (Poland), National Network for Children (Bulgaria), The Social Teahouse (Bulgaria), TENENET (Slovakia), FONSS (Romania) – have  been shortlisted for our work to provide training in emergency contexts.

The ECDUR project is a partnership between UNICEF and EASPD to provide emergency early childhood development support response to displaced Ukrainian families. The initiative aims to increase the availability of trained Family Consultants who will provide ECD parental counselling and support to children at risk of or with developmental difficulties. It is being implemented in Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Moldova, and Bulgaria.

All nominees will receive the Zero Project Shortlist badge and an invitation to the annual Zero Project Conference, hosted at the United Nations Office in Vienna, February 21-23, 2024.

Stay tuned, as the Zero Project team will announce the 2024 Awardees on December 3, 2023 - the International Day of Persons with Disabilities!

To find out more about the Awards, and the Zero Project, click here. Meet your #ZeroCall24 Shortlist! | Zero Project