October 24th 2024

BestCities and ICCA Award 2024 Incredible Impacts Programme Grant to the European Academy Childhood Disability (EACD)

Annual award distributes $20,000 USD to an international association demonstrating
advocacy for global change

Six people stand on stage, three men and three women, posing for a group photo with one man holding a plaque. The background is purple, displaying the text "Tomorrow Starts Today.

BestCities Global Alliance and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) are thrilled to award the 2024 Incredible Impacts Programme (IIP) Grant to European Academy Childhood Disability (EACD). 

The Incredible Impacts Programme uses a global platform to celebrate the “beyond tourism” value of meetings and advance their positive societal impact. Incredible Impacts offers two cash awards each year – a main grant of $20,000 USD and a seed fund grant of $5,000 USD. The seed grant was awarded to the International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) in August.

EACD developed the EACD+ program to expand access to sports, culture and technology for people with childhood-onset disabilities, thereby helping to improve their quality of life. Following the success of EACD2024 in Bruges, Belgium, EACD seeks to expand the program to future host destinations, as well as creating an Impact Task Force that raises awareness of the needs and rights of people with childhood-onset disabilities and advocate for more inclusivity and societal participation throughout Europe and beyond.    

EACD was one of three finalists shortlisted for the Incredible Impacts Grant, along with the International Hip Preservation Society (ISHA) and World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). All three associations presented their submissions at the ICCA Congress in Abu Dhabi (20-23 October), where conference delegates, along with a panel of judges, decided on the final winner.

“We are thrilled to award the Incredible Impacts Award to EACD for building a better future for people with childhood-onset disability. EACD truly demonstrates the power of innovative thinking and creativity in the meetings industry, and is an inspiration for associations around the world that want to achieve a positive impact and advance their own legacies,” said Loren Christie, Managing Director, BestCities Global Alliance. “Each year, we read through nominations that tell stories of facing challenges, surmounting barriers, and fighting tirelessly to make the world a better place through business events. We could not be prouder to share these stories and encourage associations everywhere to consider the influence of their meetings and the ways they can help to shape a better tomorrow for everyone.” 

“I’m honoured, speechless and very proud of our EACD+ 2024 team”, said Prof. Dr. Elegast Monbaliu, EACD Bruges 2024 Meeting President, EACD Board member. “This prestigious award is a magnificent recognition for their dedication and hard work. Together with all partners, we worked hard, with and for people with childhood-onset disabilities to realise this remarkable impact program in Bruges in May 2024. By acknowledging their efforts and supporting our future plans, EACD’s invaluable work can reach even more individuals in Belgium, across Europe and the world and will continue to create lasting positive change.”

“ICCA is excited to present this year’s Incredible Impacts Programme Award to EOD for their incredible efforts in advocating for a better future for people with a childhood-onset disability, which are an inspiration to organizations around the world. We look forward to seeing the amazing impact EOD’s initiatives will have on driving meaningful change and raising public awareness of the needs and rights of people with a childhood-onset disability, said Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA.

For more information about the Incredible Impacts Programme, visit www.incredibleimpacts.com.