NOMINATION IS OPEN UNTIL APRIL 2008 International Organizations, NGOs and Individuals Compete for AGFUND Prize on Prevention of Visual Impairment

The Arab Gulf Programme for United Nations Development Organizations (AGFUND) declares commencement of receiving nominations for AGFUND International Prize for Pioneering Development Projects. AGFUND invites UN, international and regional non-governmental organizations, national NGOs, universities and research centers all over the world to submit their nominations for the prize three categories. The prize subject for the year 2008 focuses on “Prevention of Visual Impairment”.

1. FIRST CATEGORY PRIZE: Subject: The international organizations' role in supporting the developing countries' national policies and programs to control the main causing diseases of visual impairment” for projects implemented by UN, international or regional organizations 2. SECOND CATEGORY PRIZE: Subject: “NGOs efforts in the prevention of visual impairment and rehabilitation of the blind people” for projects implemented by non-governmental organizations. 3. THIRD CATEGORY PRIZE: Subject: “Individual-led initiatives to develop the blind's capabilities and invest their skills” for projects initiated, sponsored and/or implemented by individuals. Nomination for AGFUND Prize may be mailed to AGFUND’s Communications Department & Prize Secretariat P. O. Box 18371 Riyadh 11415, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or at email: Prize@agfund.org. AGFUND's website www.agfund.org may also be visited for further information and getting the nomination form. Nominations for the prize are accepted until 30 April 2008.

The value of AGFUND international prize amounts to US $ 300,000 distributed among the three categories. Membership of the Prize Committee comprises prominent international figures representing geographical world regions.

Evaluation of the projects nominated for the prize is conducted with neutrality and high transparency by referees selected every year in accordance with the expertise and specialties that suit the prize subjects.

Since its launch in 1999, twenty-five projects implemented by Un and international non-governmental organizations, national NGOs and individuals have won the prize. More than fifty developing countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe benefited from AGFUND Prize.