The Jane Jacobs Prize

Background

The Jane Jacobs Prize was created to discover and celebrate Toronto's original, unsung heroes - by seeking out citizens who are engaged in activities that contribute to the city's vitality.

The Jane Jacobs Prize recognizes the ideas and impact of ordinary individuals and is named in honour of the long-time Toronto resident and renowned author. Every year the prize highlights the contribution of one or two Toronto residents and promotes how their ideas and insight help us better understand our city.

The Jane Jacobs Prize was announced in 1997 at the end of a five-day international celebration called Jane Jacobs: Ideas that Matter. Hundreds of the world's most prominent thinkers and community leaders attended the Toronto event to exchange ideas and celebrate Jacobs' work in the areas of cities, economies and values.

At the event's closing ceremony, Ideas that Matter chairman Alan Broadbent announced that an award would be created to build on the spirit of the gathering.

Selection Criteria

Potential recipients of The Jane Jacobs Prize are identified through an extensive, diverse network of spotters who are asked to anonymously nominate candidates. Each candidate must:

• Live and work in Toronto
• Be active in the community in some exemplary way
• Be an unsung hero who is not particularly well known
• Be making a contribution that provides a model for others

A committee comprised of Ideas that Matter advisory members make the final selection.

Prize Summary

Each recipient of The Jane Jacobs Prize receives $5,000 each year for three years. The recipient is able to spend the money in any way they choose. In addition, prize recipients are invited to meet together to discuss their experiences and knowledge of what makes this city work.

For information on Jane Jacobs Prize Recipients