The European Christian Environmental Network Roman Juriga Award (RJA) for inspirational innovation for church environmental projects across Europe has been launched in June 2017 in memory Roman Juriga, one of the founding members of ECEN and a Christian leader who worked tirelessly with his church and with partners across Europe to develop new and exciting green initiatives, especially with a focus on renewable energy technology and underpinned by a passion to respect and protect the integrity of God’s inhabited Earth.
The Roman Juriga Award was set up for continuing his aspiration to recognise and affirm Christian environmental action which is realistic, realisable and easy to be replicated elsewhere, taking account of social and economic implications.
The European Christian Environmental Network Roman Juriga Award seeks to recognise and affirm Christian environmental action in local churches across Europe.
Applications are accepted from community projects, churches and ecumenical initiatives, with a preference given to local engagement and impact. Applicants for the RJA need to demonstrate creative solutions to environmental challenges through our European churches and which contribute to protecting the world’s natural and cultural heritage as part of God’s whole Creation.
Roman Juriga Award is looking for notable efforts that for example:
- are making church buildings greener,
- develop innovative ways to save or generate energy, either by adapting existing buildings or in new builds to reduce draughts,
- retain heat, or take advantage of natural daylight,
- work on local achievements in reducing the carbon footprint of a church, congregation or other community,
- are promoting biodiversity and wildlife conservation.
Other inspiring green church initiatives are welcomed.
The Roman Juriga Award will be issued every two years, with the winner receiving €2,000, a plaque and certificate. Submissions will be assessed by the ECEN panel of judges through the ECEN Enabling Team.
ECEN is thankful for sponsorship contributions enabling the Award and for the support from:
Conference of European Churches (CEC)
Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe (CCEE)
Forschungsstätte der Evangelischen Studiengemeinschaft (FEST)
Belgian Chaplaincy of Foresters and Naturalists
Brussels, June 2017