EU Projects

The Cedar Foundation Training Services provides people with physical disabilities and people with brain injuries with support to access socially inclusive training and employment opportunities This project was part funded under Measure 2.3 of the EU Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme and its success was recently recognised at a gala awards ceremony.

Amongst the impressive surroundings of the Athens Arena, the results of the 2007 EFQM Excellence Award were announced during EFQM’s annual Gala Celebration. The EFQM Excellence Award is Europe’s most prestigious recognition for organisational excellence given to Europe’s best performing companies and not for profit organisations. This year The Cedar Foundation, a voluntary organisation supporting people with disabilities, not only won the European Excellence Award for the public and not for profit sectors, but also picked up a Judge’s Special Award for Customer Focus.

Presenting the award, Mr George Alogoskoufis, Greek Minister of State commended the work of The Cedar Foundation and congratulated the Cedar Team on reaching such a high standard of organisational Excellence.

The Award recognises organisations with an undisputable track record of progress and results. Each finalist had been rigorously assessed by an international team, composed of high level representatives from a variety of industries across Europe. This team provides detailed feedback to each applicant allowing the organisation to continue to improve their performance even further and sustain the results they have achieved.

Stephen Mathews, Chief Executive of The Cedar Foundation said:

“Winning this award is the ultimate accolade for the Cedar team, it recognises the extraordinary dedication, hard work and professionalism of Cedar’s Service Users, Volunteers and Staff. This puts The Cedar Foundation at the top end of the most efficient and effective organisations in Europe, an unbelievable accomplishment by any standard.

Dr Victor Patterson, Chairman of The Cedar Foundation added:

“Winning the award was a magnificent achievement, but to also secure a judge’s special award for customer focus is about as good as it gets! It clearly demonstrates Cedar’s dedication to involve people with disability in every aspect of our work ”

Hazel Rodgers, Chair of The Cedar Foundation User Forum said:

"This award is fantastic recognition for The Cedar Foundation, The User Forum are proud to have been part of the assessment process and are delighted that their work made a huge contribution to the achievement of the Customer Focus prize."