The Red Ribbon Awards celebrate community leadership and action on AIDS. Sponsored by UNDP and UNAIDS, 25 community organizations are acknowledged during the international AIDS conference and given a cash prize. In addition, the 25 organizations have a dedicated space in the Global Village ~ the Community Dialogue Space ~ to present their work.

The call for nominations for the 2010 Red Ribbon Award is now open.   Nominations are accepted from December 1st, 2009 until February 28th, 2010.

Twenty-five community-based organizations will be selected through a community-led process and invited to attend the XVIIIth International AIDS Conference in Vienna from 18-23 July, 2010, where they will have an opportunity to showcase their work. All 25 organizations will receive $5,000 each. Five of these will receive special recognition and an additional $15,000.

This year the Red Ribbon Award will be given to community groups for outstanding leadership in responding to AIDS in one or more of the following categories:

• Ensure that that people living with HIV receive treatment
• Support HIV prevention, treatment and care programmes for people who use drugs
• Remove punitive policies and laws, stigma and discrimination that block effective AIDS responses and marginalize key populations (men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers and prisoners)
• Stop violence against women and girls and promote gender equality
• Enhance social support for those affected by HIV, including orphans and vulnerable children

This year a special recognition Award will be presented to an organization whose cross-cutting approach jointly addresses AIDS and MDGs at the community level.

For more information, or to nominate an organization, see the Red Ribbon Award website.