The Józef Ślisz award is granted by the European Fund for the Development of Polish Villages to honour organisations or persons distinguished by their commitment to the promotion of civic and democratic attitudes, as well as Christian values and broadly understood development of rural areas.
It is presented by the Award Committee composed of: Elżbieta Bieniasz – daughter of Józef Ślisz, Jarosław Kaczyński – Chairman of Law and Justice (Polish political party), and Artur Balazs – Chairman of the EFRWP Foundation Chapter.
1st edition (2017)
The award was granted for the first time in 2017. The first laureate was the Association “Dom Wschodni – Domus Orientalis”,which engages in activities supporting Christians living in the Middle East and builds – virtually from scratch – active local communities among people who, due to their faith, are not deeply rooted in Arab society and need support in their daily lives.
2nd edition (2018)
In 2018, during the European Agricultural Forum the Polish Society of the Righteous Among the Nationswas honoured for its work in commemorating Poles helping Jews as well as spreading knowledge about the atrocities of the Holocaust and the Second World War.
3rd edition (2029)
In 2019, the Józef Ślisz award was granted to ten Country Housewives’ Clubs (in Polish: Koło Gospodyń Wiejskich – KGW). The clubs from Cikowice, Włościanki, Panienka, Sudołek, Świerczynek, Mokowo, Zielin, Zagórzany, Zastawie and Sieniawa were distinguished for promoting cultural heritage, encouraging pro-active behaviour among the residents of local communities, cultivating regional traditions and supporting the integration of the inhabitants of rural areas.
4th edition (2020)
In 2020, the Józef Ślisz award was granted to the Ewa Błaszczyk’s Foundation “Akogo?” for special involvement in activities related to the systemic support of people after severe brain injuries, who require long, intensive hospitalisation and rehabilitation.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Agricultural Forum in 2020 was cancelled. The award was presented in December 2020.
5th edition (2023)
In 2023, Józef Ślisz award was presented to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba for his special commitment to mobilising European countries to provide humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine in the face of Russia's barbaric and inhumane aggression.
The award was presented during the European Agricultural Forum 2023. On behalf of the laureate, the award was received by the Ambassador of Ukraine in Poland, Wasyl Zwarycz.