Caritas pioneer Mgr Victor Grech has been jointly nominated by MEPs Louis Grech and Simon Busuttil for the European Citizens' Prize.

The European Citizens' prize is an award organised by the European Parliament each year to recognise the exceptional achievements of European citizens in fostering closer integration among EU citizens and promoting the values found in the EU's Charter of fundamental rights.

This year the Maltese MEPs have come together to put forward Mgr Grech for this award.

Commenting on the nomination MEP Grech and MEP Busuttil said

"Mgr Grech has played an important role in building the strong network of social services in Malta which we enjoy today. Through his unstinting work he has changed the way in which Maltese society tackles issues such as drugs, alcoholism, poverty and social injustice."

"He has managed to cultivate the true meaning of the European spirit of solidarity and volunteering both in Malta and at pan-European level. That is why we feel that it would be an honour for Malta to have him as a laurate of the European Citizens Prize," the two MEPs sadi.

2012 is the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations, and, therefore, the European Parliament is giving priority to nominees who have contributed to intergenerational solidarity.

In this regard Mgr Grech is credited with having establishing several services for older people, bringing them closer to the younger generations and promoting an active, independent lifestyle among the elderly.

The Chancellery, the prize-awarding authority of the European Citizens' Award, can choose up to 50 laurates of the Citizens' Prize from across the EU's 27 states.

Last year Chris Delicata from Malta was awarded the prize for his work in the field of diabetes.