After the successful start of the Elevate Awards in 2012, the Elevate Festival hands out the Elevate Awards again in 2013. They are a commendation for people and their projects, who are actively working for social, ecological and/or economical justice and the improvement of the life circumstances of people and mother nature.

The public call for nominees lasted from April 16th to June 17th. A total of more than 70 projects was handed in. 

Characterized by innovation and an orientation on the environmental and cultural commons of our planet, these positive awards should be a recognition of initiatives, which can present an output with measurable effects – either prognosticated or already in place. Since this award carries "Elevate" in its name, it should only be given to projects, which have not yet received comparable other international recognitions or decorations.

There are three categories: The International Elevate Award, the Elevate Award Steiermark and the Elevate Artivism Award.

After the Call for Nominees there is a selection process to find the five top-contestants in every category, which will be presented to the media in the form of video-portraits. The winning project will be chosen by the audience in a public voting process in October 2013 (Elevate Artivism Award and Elevate Award Steiermark). The International Elevate Award top-nominees as well as the winner will be selected by the international Jury.

This award initiative is supported by Franz Voves, the governor of the state of Styria, as well as the culture department of the city of Graz. Media partners: Kleine Zeitung, FM4 and ORF Steiermark.

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