What is the Statelessness Impact Award?
The Statelessness Impact Award (SIA) is the first international award dedicated to statelessness work. It recognises measurable, meaningful contributions that improve the rights, livelihoods, and inclusion of stateless people. Presented during the Statelessness Awareness Forum (Europe), SAF(E), the Award spotlights initiatives that confront structural exclusion, remove legal or practical barriers linked to statelessness, and contribute to more equitable systems through realisation of human rights.
Why is SIA important?
Statelessness affects uncountable millions of people worldwide, yet the issue remains chronically under‑recognised, under‑resourced, and often invisible in policy and practice. Work on the subject is frequently fragmented into short‑term projects that are circular or self-facing in nature, with insufficient focus on the experience of the affected communities and limited accountability for real‑world outcomes.
SIA responds to this gap by:
✶ Recognising impact, not intentions or discourse, while highlighting concrete, verifiable change rather than symbolic commitments.
✶ Centering the lives and experiences of stateless people as fundamental point of reference for any progress made on statelessness.
✶ Shifting narratives by spotlighting that statelessness is not a marginal or niche issue, but a widespread and systemic challenge that can be addressed through informed and dedicated action.
✶ Creating visibility and incentives by encouraging institutions, civil society, and individuals to adopt good practices and scale what works.
By formalising recognition, the Award helps turn overlooked efforts into better visible examples for future policy and advocacy. In doing so, it improves the visibility of statelessness as a widely under-recognised human rights issue, while recognising and rewarding those who choose to work hard to address it.
Who is behind the Award?
SIA is initiated by the stateless-led organisation Apatride Network, together with its SAF(E) partner organisations that have chosen to participate in the Award. Participation in SIA is voluntary, and not all SAF(E) partners are required to be involved. Each partner may choose to serve on the SIA jury or to abstain from the Award process. The names of the organisations involved in the SIA process and jury will be published following the granting of the Award.
Who can be nominated?
Nominations are open to individuals, organisations, or initiatives that have made a meaningful and demonstrable impact for stateless people. This may include work in areas such as: legal recognition and protection; access to documentation and legal identity; financial and economic inclusion; education, healthcare, and social rights; policy reform and institutional practice that lead to tangible options or change in the lives of stateless people.
The nomination process for the first edition of SIA is currently open! Anyone can nominate any individual or organisation that made a notable contribution to stateless people, with the nomination process lasting until 1st of February, 2026. Self-nominations are accepted. The nomination form can be accessed here.
Looking ahead
The first edition of the Statelessness Impact Award is regional (Europe), with the ambition to expand future editions globally. By recognising impact today, SIA aims to help build a future where statelessness is addressed not as an abstract legal problem, but as a lived reality that demands concrete, inclusive solutions.
