Ethiopian Charity to Award 15 Mln Birr in Gold Medals and Prizes to 33 Influencers and Citizens

August 24, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

An Ethiopian charity organisation plans to award gold medals and other prizes valued at an estimated 15 million birr to 33 social media influencers and citizens selected for their contributions in various fields.

The recognition and awards programme, organised by the Beken Leboch Charity Organisation, is scheduled to take place on Meskerem 12, 2019 in the Ethiopian calendar, according to Tesfaye Sineshaw, the organisation's executive director.

Beken Leboch has partnered with SantimPay and Sebez Digital Technology to develop a digital voting application for the awards programme. The platform will be used to collect votes for the nominees.

The awards follow a year-long programme in which the organisation recognised social media influencers on a monthly basis. The upcoming event will select winners from among those monthly recipients, while also recognising individuals whose work has received limited public attention.

The programme is divided into two main categories and includes a total of 280 grams of pure gold medals for the six leading winners.

Under the first category, which will select the year's top social media influencers from among the monthly winners, a total of 180 grams of gold will be awarded. The first-place winner will receive a 100-gram gold medal, followed by 50 grams for second place and 30 grams for third.

The second category will recognise citizens described by the organisers as role models who are contributing to the country and society through their knowledge, skills and professional work but may not be widely known to the public.

The category covers individuals working in fields including academia, maritime and aviation, education, entrepreneurship, fashion design, agro-industry and tourism, as well as citizens with ideas considered beneficial to the country.

The first three winners in this category will receive gold medals weighing 50 grams, 30 grams and 20 grams respectively.

Participants ranked from fourth to 20th will also receive prizes and recognition, although the organisers did not specify the value or nature of all the additional awards.

More than 10 senior citizens who have made contributions in areas including knowledge, public service and other fields will also be recognised during a separate appreciation programme.

The organisers said the initiative is intended to encourage individuals contributing to national development, social values and the development of future generations.

Source: FSX Business News