Given the merit of a record 78 projects from 29 nations and 5 continents and presented in five languages, received for this edition, the Evaluation Commission consigned the International Award to the Papua New Guinea project, allocating a financial contribution of €45,000 and recognizing two other projects.
A €10,000 award went to a project from the Diocese of Rulenge-Ngara in Tanzania. Inspired by the Encyclical Laudato Sì, the project involves 50 teenage mothers under the age of 20. They will receive training in the production of energy-efficient stoves and ovens, the production of rice husk briquettes using agricultural waste, and the production of reusable sanitary napkins using sewing machines provided by the project.
The second €5,000 award went to a project in Madagascar entitled “M.A.D.E. Profumo di Speranza” (M.A.D.E. Scent of Hope), which aims to foster the economic and social empowerment of vulnerable young and single women under 35. They joined together in a women’s cooperative and have created and funded a savings fund through the production of artisanal soap recycled from plastic, which is then sold at markets and online in a circular economy.