HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco becomes first donor to WOA Grants scheme

17 | 1 | 2017

Following the launch of World Olympians Association’s inaugural Service to Society Grants in November 2016, WOA patron HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco has personally donated a further US$5,000, opening up another National Olympian Association (NOA) grant opportunity and kicking off WOA’s project to receive donations to the fund so that more grants can be awarded and more deserving causes assisted.

The new initiative originally gave five NOAs around the world the opportunity to claim US$5,000 to run sustainable Olympian-led activities within their communities.

With HSH Prince Albert‘s generous donation WOA will now offer six grants, meaning that the top six NOA submissions from around the world will receive the US$5,000 funding. WOA is hoping that with the donors’ project up and running more benefactors will come forward to help grow the monies available for Service to Society Grants

All NOAs are encouraged to apply via this simple online form before 31 January 2017.

The grant awarding process will be overseen by the WOA Service to Society Grants Panel, composed of WOA Executive Committee members from each continent, who will judge, assess and ultimately decide who receives the grants.

Successful projects will demonstrate to the Grants Panel clear Olympian-led, community-driven objectives that adhere to the promotion of Olympic Values, Olympism in Society, Olympic Agenda 2020 and the activities of the Olympic Movement.

WOA patron HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, said:

“It is a personal pleasure of mine to be able to support World Olympians Association’s Service to Society Grants. Olympians truly embody the Olympic spirit, and this platform is crucially important for them to emphasise these key values to the wider community.

“I believe that WOA is able to bring the spirit of Olympism to people who may otherwise not be able to reach it, and it is my hope that this additional grant will help WOA and NOAs impact more lives across the globe.

“This work is critical in developing society through sport and spreading the Olympic message, and I am pleased that I have been able to assist in this important initiative and hope that others will follow suit.”

WOA President, Joël Bouzou, added:

“We are very grateful for this generous donation from our patron, HSH Prince Albert II. Through it, our Service to Society Grants will continue to grow and reach even more people around the world. We will be working to secure other donors so that we can offer even more grants to our members for the benefit of their communities.

“Our Olympians play a key role in developing values within their communities and these grants give them a platform from which to deliver key Olympic and social messages.

“The Service to Society application process is still open, and we encourage all NOAs around the world to apply.”

The deadline for Service to Society 2017 applications has been extended to 31 January 2016. Further details about the 2017 grant programme and the entry criteria are available here.

Photo credit: Gaëtan Luci / Palais Princier de Monaco