A charity which aims to recognise and support organisations running successful on the ground projects for refugees and displaced people around the world is about to launch a new series of cash prizes.

Ockenden International has been helping refugees and displaced men, women and children for over 60 years. Established by three school teachers in 1951, and Founded by Joy Pearce, Ockenden became a registered charity in 1955.

The charity’s original mission was, “to receive young East European people from post World War II homeless persons’ camps in Germany and ‘to provide for their maintenance, clothing, education, recreation, health and general welfare’.”

As time went on, and historical events led to a sharp rise in refugees, Ockenden broadened its scope and its reach.

In 1962, the charity amended its mission statement so that it could, ‘receive displaced children and other children in need from any part of the world and to provide for their maintenance, clothing, education, recreation, health and general welfare.’

The charity introduced its International Prize in 2012, a three-year refugee studies fellowship at Oxford University, and is now relaunching its Annual Prize as four individual cash prizes of £25,000, for projects that “excel in developing independence for refugees and internally displaced people.”

The prizes will be awarded to projects and organisations with a proven track record in promoting self-reliance. Winners will be announced in 2018.

Organisations and individuals from all over the world can apply, however the work itself must have begun no earlier than September 1, 2014.

Call for entries takes place on 1st September, 2017.

The Deadline for entries in the 2018 prizes will be midnight (GMT) on Thursday 30 November, 2017, with the four winners to be announced in the first quarter of 2018.

The charity’s website tell us:

“The Ockenden International Prizes remains focused on solutions to the challenges faced by displaced people, raising awareness of their range of needs, and providing reward and recognition for those giving outstanding support.”

Connect with Ockenden International on Facebook, to learn more about its fellowships and prizes.

If you have any questions about the prizes and submission guidelines, you can contact the charity here.