Scene of the signing ceremony?[en.expo2010]

Outstanding non-profit projects that reflect "Better City, Better Life" and meet the criteria of social value, feasibility, best practices in the chosen field and sustainability will have the chance to win the Cosmos Prize - an initiative of the Bureau of International Expositions and the Expo' 90 Foundation to encourage the public's participation in Expos and promote social progress.

BIE will screen applications globally and the Expo' 90 Foundation will fund the award money of 20,000 euros (US$29,950) to support the programs's implementation and future progress.

A cooperation agreement over the prize was signed between BIE and Shanghai Expo organizer on November 10.

The nominated projects can fall under one of the following three groups: research and evaluation; implementation, experimentation and community activities; and advocacy and awareness-raising.

Appropriate projects should have strong potential for a positive grass-roots and long-term impact on the well-being of society and demonstrate strong potential for sustainable effects and uphold the Expo' 90 Foundation's core value of "harmonious coexistence between man and nature," in particular with respect to the preservation of greenery.

The prize was first awarded at the 2008 Zaragoza Expo.

Vicente Loscertales, secretary general of BIE, said the prize allows organizations and the public who commit to environmentally friendly efforts to better elaborate the theme of world expositions and help promote an eco-friendly development concept.

Hong Hao, director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, said the organizer placed high expectation for the prize in its role of giving the public a say and a more active role in Expo.

The awards will be presented at the closing ceremony of Expo 2010.