Awards and Recognition

SOS Children's Villages has received a multitude of international awards. Some of those honors are listed below.

Zayed Future Energy Prize, African Global High Schools Award - 2016
SOS Children’s Villages received the 2016 Zayed Future Energy Prize, African Global High Schools award given to SOS HG Sheikh Secondary School in Somaliland.

The UNESCO-Hamdan Prize - 2014
The UNESCO-Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Prize for Outstanding Practice and Performance in Enhancing the Effectiveness of Teachers is all about improving education quality through raising teacher standards. It was created in 2008 and is funded by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Nobel Peace Prize Nominee
In 2011 SOS Children s’ Villages International were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, an honour which recognises its work helping orphaned and abandoned children worldwide. SOS Children’s Villages has been consistently nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. The nominations have recognized our work on behalf of orphaned and abandoned children worldwide.

Save the World Award - 2009
Founded by Mikhail Gorbachev, Save the World Awards are given to organizations and people who promote human welfare or devote themselves to the conservation of the planet.  SOS joins other prestigious award winners Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney, and Steven Spielberg.

India's PHD Chamber of Commerce Award - 2009
Awarded for its unprecedented contributions to social welfare in India, SOS Children's Villages received the PHD Chamber of Commerce Award from the Finance Minister of India, Pranab Mukherjee.

Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize – 2002
The Hilton Prize is the world's largest award for humanitarian service.  The prestigious one million dollar prize is presented annually by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation (named for its founder, late hotel entrepreneur Conrad N. Hilton) to an organization making extraordinary contributions toward alleviating human suffering.

Mother Teresa Gold Medal - 2008
SOS Children's Villages received this award for oustanding contributions to society from the Mother Teresa Research Council.

OPEC Fund for International Development Award - 2007
SOS Children’s Villages was recognized by OPEC for its commitment to children and families in need.

Vietnam Friendship Medal – 2007
Vietnam's most prestigious award for foreigners was awarded to Helmut Kutin in recognition of his contributions to humanitarian achievements helping orphans and children in need in Vietnam.

India’s Best Non-Governmental Organization – 2006
SOS Children's Villages of India has been chosen as recipient of the Best Non-Governmental Organization award by the Government of India for its commitment to special needs children in India.

"Woman of the Year" Award – 2005
Some 5,000 women who serve as professional caregivers or "SOS mothers" for around 59,000 children in the care of SOS Children's Villages in 134 countries and territories, received the Woman of the Year award in the category of "social commitment" by the Women’s World Forum.

China’s Ru Zi Nui Award – 2005
SOS Children's Village President Helmut Kutin received the highest distinction the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs has to offer for humanitarian efforts.

Spain’s Medalla de Honor Barcelona – 2004

Thailand’s Social Organization of the Year – 2004

Austria’s Medal of Honor – 2001
President Helmut Kutin was awarded Austria’s Medal of Honor for service.

Guatemala’s Honor al Merito Parlamento Centroamericano – 2001
Awarded to President Helmut Kutin.

Grand Cross and Star of the Papal Order of St. Gregory – 1999
Awarded to President Helmut Kutin.

Russia’s Award of Friendship Order  - 1997 
Awarded to President Helmut Kutin.

Luxembourg’s Commander of the Order of Merit - 1994 
Awarded to President Helmut Kutin.

Vietnam’s Huan Chuong Huu Nghi (Friendship Order) – 1990
Awarded to President Helmut Kutin.

Germany’s Distinguished Service Cross of the Order of Merit – 1990
Awarded to President Helmut Kutin.

United Nations Peace Messenger – 1986
In recognition of its commitment to peace and as an expression of appreciation for special efforts made in the context of the International Year of Peace, SOS-Kinderdorf International was honored as a "Peace Messenger" by the then Secretary General of the United Nations, Javier Pèrez de Cuèllar.

Aristotle Prize – 1986
President Hermann Gmeiner was awarded the Aristotle Prize by the Onassis Foundation.

Netherland’s Wateler Peace Prize
Awarded to President Hermann Gmeiner.

Grand Cross and Star of the Papal Order of St. Gregory - 1980
Awarded to President Hermann Gmeiner.