3 August 2023On 22 April 2023, the Michael Dower Award for European Rural Resilience was launched in memory of Michael Dower (1937-2022), a successful public servant running the Peak District National Park and the Countryside Commission, and a professor at the University of Gloucestershire. Michael was an agent of change, a passionate advocate for rural communities and a sustainable way of living, an inspiring teacher and a man of action.
The Michael Dower Award for European Rural Resilience aims to encourage civic action in rural areas in wider Europe which preserves nature and cultural heritage, strengthens democracy and peace, and empower rural people and civil society organisations to take their destiny into their own hands. It recognises the outstanding work of individuals and organisations in nurturing the protection of Europe’s rural heritage and their efforts to respond to the growing challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and rural depopulation.
The prize will be awarded to individuals or civil society organisations in Europe, at biennial gatherings of the European Rural Parliament.
