We need you: Vote for NRP for the Reinhard Mohn Prize 2011

Would you like to help the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) gain additional international recognition? Well, this is how you can help.

NRP is number 108 of 158 government initiated programs that has been nominated for the very prestigious Reinhard Mohn prize for 2011. This prize is sponsored by the Bertelsman Foundation of Germany and will be awarded in June, 2011.

The competition is focused on recognizing outstanding government initiated programs that have helped vitalize democracy by providing incentives for citizen participation and encouraged citizen empowerment. Nominations were submitted by August 22 and the 158 nominees will be narrowed to 20 semifinalists in October. The selection of the semifinalists will be based on reviews conducted by a distinguished panel of international experts and ratings submitted by individuals from around the world who submit their assessments of the nominated programs. Any person can rate any proposal – all it takes is a computer and 10 minutes of your time.

As of the date of this message, the most reviews that have been submitted on any single program is 24. Seven have been submitted on NRP. We need your help to increase those numbers and let the review panel know what NRP has meant to Minneapolis and its residents.

Rating programs is quick and easy (there are only seven questions) but it needs to be done as soon as possible. I hope that you will consider taking the time to use the instructions that follow and go to http://www.vitalizing-democracy.org/index.php to rate the NRP program for this competition. As the process continues we will do our best to let you know how we fared.

Sincerely, and thanks,

Robert D. Miller

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Reinhard Mohn Prize 2011 – Please support NRP’s submission

Here are instructions on how you can support NRP’s proposal to the Bertelsmann Foundation (German: Bertelsmann Stiftung) for the Reinhard Mohn Prize 2011. This year’s Prize focuses on the topic of "Vitalizing Democracy through Participation."

INSTRUCTIONS:
Go to the Foundation “Vitalizing Democracy” website at: http://www.vitalizing-democracy.org/index.php

On the left hand side of the page click on: “Register” – You’ll be asked to provide a user name, password and valid email address; to agree to the “terms of use” for your access to the site; and, to indicate whether you’d like to be updated about the process. Once you register, you’ll receive an email to confirm your registration. And, you’ll be able to login to the site and rate NRP’s proposal (and others from around the world if you wish).

Go back to the Foundation “Vitalizing Democracy” website and login at:
http://www.vitalizing-democracy.org/index.php

Once you’ve logged in, click on: “My ratings” – A list of submitted projects will pop up, and you’ll be able to read and rate any projects you wish. The NRP proposal should be #108 but be sure to check (because some of the submitted programs may be rejected for not meeting the criteria for eligibility).

The Foundation’s rating system asks you to rate the proposal on seven different questions using a 1-5 scale (with 1= not at all and 5= to a very high degree). It also asks for any explanation that you are willing to offer to explain your response.

The questions are:

1. To what extent has the project/ program made a contribution to solving a significant public problem, was effective in reaching its goals and had an impact on public policy?

2. To what extent was the project/program able to address a wide range of people and able to represent all groups and individuals affected by the public problem?

3. To what extent has the project/program strengthened democratic capacities, structures and behavior in politics, public administration and amongst citizens?

4. To which degree did the project/program succeed in including marginalized and otherwise disadvantaged groups?

5. To what extent was the project/program implemented efficiently and in a sustainable manner - can it be continued or repeated?

6. To what extent was the project/program innovative?

7. Are the problems addressed and the solutions proposed by the project/ program comparable with those in other regions and countries, and transferable?

That’s it.

Thanks for your help and for your support of NRP and the neighborhoods and residents of Minneapolis!