Congratulations to the 2024 Silver Rose Award winners, Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF) for the Just Transition Award, and Nicolas Schmit for the Lifetime Achievement Award. This year, we introduced a new award, the Legacy Prize for Social Justice, awarded posthumously to Glenys Kinnock to honour her lifelong commitment and dedication to social justice internationally.

On December 4th, SOLIDAR, in collaboration with the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), the Party of European Socialists (PES), the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament (S&D), the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), the Young European Socialists (YES), and PES Women co-hosted the 2024 Silver Rose Awards Ceremony. 

This annual event, presented by SOLIDAR and the progressive family, recognises civil society organisations, trade unions, exceptional individuals, and activists for their work at all levels of society. 

For the second year in a row, the Silver Rose Ceremony took place at La Tricoterie in Brussels, marking a pivotal moment for championing the causes of social justice, gender equality, and a just transition. The event was a source of inspiration, demonstrating that, through collective action, systemic change is attainable.

The ceremony began with opening statements from both SOLIDAR President Anne Van Lancker and PES Deputy Secretary General, Saar Van Bueren.

Anne Van Lancker, SOLIDAR President, stressed the importance of collective effort to achieve a fair and equitable transition. She emphasized the importance of the progressive movement’s unity, stating,

“The prize winners show us that it is possible to move mountains when we do it together. We are the many”.

Anne Van Lancker

Saar Van Bueren, Deputy Secretary General of PES, drew attention to the ongoing challenges faced by local communities in the Global South due to the actions of multinational companies. She noted,

“Just transition is not merely about mitigating the effects of climate change; it is about making sure that no one is left behind“. 

Saar Van Bueren

Numerous MEPs and representatives from the Progressive political family, civil society and trade unions joined the ceremony. 

MEP Gaby Bischoff, Vice-President of the S&D Group, gave the keynote speech and called for a social and just transition that leaves no one behind. However, she also stressed the importance of delivering a just transition for workers who are sometimes disillusioned by this ambitious goal, as she said:

” If I go to the workers in Audi and mention Just Transition they tell me that this is an expression that they do not want to hear as they do not believe that we can deliver on this. Ambitions and targets are one thing, having a strategy, the resources and means to leave no one behind is another thing. The only thing that matters for citizens is that we deliver”.

MEP Gaby Bischoff

This year’s thematic award for a Just Transition recognised Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF) for their tireless and transformative work at the intersection of gender justice, environmental sustainability, and social equity. For over 30 years, WECF has advocated for a just and inclusive transition to a sustainable future, ensuring that the rights and needs of women, youth, and marginalised communities are central to global environmental and climate policies. WECF’s commitment to ecofeminism and intersectional approaches has made them a key player in tackling systemic issues like environmental degradation, toxic pollution, and gender inequality. From empowering local communities in Europe, Central Asia, and Africa, to challenging harmful policies and advocating for gender just climate solutions, WECF has consistently fought to protect human rights, gender equality, and environmental justice. The award was introduced by Isabelle Schömann, Deputy General Secretary of ETUC.

Melano Tskhvaradze, Project Coordinator of WECF in Georgia, warned the progressive family attending the ceremony about the ongoing protests taking place in Georgia against the new Foreign Agent Law which sparked public outrage due to its restrictions on civil society organisations and independent media. During the ceremony, she said:

“CSOs and free media are threatened with closure due to the foreign agent law. Extreme police violence is being used against protesters in the streets of Tbilisi. If violence does not stop in Georgia, it will spread across Europe”.

Melano Tskhvaradze

The Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon Nicolas Schmit, celebrating his outstanding political career and commitment to promoting a truly social Europe. The award was given out by László Andor, Secretary General of FEPS, who reminded us of Mr Schmit’s leadership during the financial crisis, his bold reforms in labour and social policy, and his pivotal role in shaping Europe’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has left a lasting legacy.

“Things are not fair and someone needs to intervene to restore a feeling of justice. It is the role of social democrats to understand how to do so”.

Nicolas Schmit

This year, we awarded one extra award, the SOLIDAR Legacy Prize for Social Justice. This prize is posthumously awarded to Glenys Kinnock for her lifelong commitment to global social justice and human rights. A tireless champion for the most vulnerable, Glenys dedicated her political career to fighting inequality, advocating for women’s rights, and promoting peace and development, both in Europe and across the world. Glenys was an inspiring and exceptional individual who not only spent her life campaigning to make the world a better place but was also one of the founders of the Silver Rose Awards.

The award was given out to the Kinnock family by Zita Gurmai, President of PES Women, who worked closely with Glenys in the European Parliament. Her son, MP Stephen Kinnock, said:

“Mum started her career as a teacher, she threw herself into it, teaching kids in school with severe learning disabilities. She took what she learned from teaching into politics. She was a great explainer… we need more teaching in politics “.

MP Stephen Kinnock

MEP Heléne Fritzon, Vice-President of the S&D Group, and Sofie Amalie Stage, Secretary General of YES, closing up the ceremony stressed the concept of gender equality and youth involvement as key aspects to advancing social justice as a whole:

“Fighting for childrens’ rights is not just moral but strategic – the future depends on them”.

MEP Heléne Fritzon

“Young people in Europe are as conscious as ever of the need for social justice and sustainability to go hand in hand”.

Sofie Amalie Stage

The ceremony is an occasion for winners to come to Brussels, where partners and the progressive family come together to celebrate organisations and individuals committed to the values of social justice and systemic change. Silver Rose emphasises the need for Europe to lead the way towards a just transition that is truly inclusive and just.

These awards inspire hope and reaffirm the commitment to creating a world where people take precedence over profit, where justice, energy, food, education, health, and more are recognised as universal rights. It underscores the importance of reclaiming our common goods and rights while building a progressive community united in shared struggles.