Almost three hundred applications for the prestigious award were received from 24 IDB member countries

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) today announced that four institutions from Chile, Mexico and Argentina won the Juscelino Kubitschek Visionaries Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions made by civil society organizations to Latin America and the Caribbean in the following areas: citizen participation, social inclusion and equitable societies.

The awards were created in 2009 in honor of Brazilian President Juscelino Kubitschek (1956-1961), who was instrumental in the creation of the IDB, the world’s first regional development bank.

The Executive Selection Committee awarded the first place to Fundación Kodea of Chile and the second place to Alternare, A.C. of Mexico. The third and fourth places went to Patronato Pro Zona Mazahua A.C. of Mexico and Fundación Forge from Argentina.

The first prize winner will receive $100,000 in recognition of its work and to encourage its efforts to improve lives. The second prize winner will receive $50,000, while third and fourth place winners will each receive $25,000.

The Committee also recognized two institutions with Honorable Mentions: Grupo para Promover la Educación y el Desarrollo Sustentable from Mexico and Mais Diferenças from Brazil.

Winners were selected by two Committees. The Technical Selection Committee, consisting of IDB specialists, selected the 26 finalists. The Executive Selection Committee, which included members of the IDB senior management, a past winner of the award, and former IDB President Enrique V. Iglesias, selected the four winners.