Nigerian Street Project Foundation Wins International Award for ARTvocacy Initiative

The Street Project Foundation (SPF), an arts organization based in Nigeria, has won the 2026 Intercultural Achievement Award for its project called ARTvocacy. This award recognizes projects that promote cultural and religious dialogue, and SPF was chosen from over 100,000 entries.

The award ceremony took place on October 13 in Vienna, Austria, hosted by Federal Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger. SPF was honored in the Innovation category by the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs.

Founded in 2008, SPF has developed ARTvocacy, which engages young people and communities through creative expressions like theatre and workshops. The organization has worked in seven cities across Nigeria, focusing on building understanding and connection among diverse groups.

Rita Ezenwa-Okoro, the founder of SPF, expressed pride in the recognition, stating that it highlights the value of grassroots initiatives from Nigeria. She emphasized that the award belongs to all the young creatives and communities involved in ARTvocacy.

Eduvielawhe Olutimayin, the Chief Operating Officer, noted that this award validates their community-first approach and creativity as a tool for change. The recognition will help them reach more young people and expand their work.

The award comes at a time when SPF is gaining international attention, with its leaders participating in global events focused on cultural exchange and creativity. The organization plans to celebrate this achievement with the young creatives and partners who contributed to ARTvocacy.