Entries in each category are eligible to win the first-ever Anthem Community Voice Awards selected by fans

The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS) announced the finalists for the 3rd Annual Anthem Awards. Chess for Freedom - FIDE social project aimed at promoting chess among inmates – is among the finalists in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion category. This year's finalists were selected from a pool of over 2,000 submissions from 44 countries by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). 

The Anthem Awards were established in 2021 to celebrate the purpose and mission-driven work of individuals, companies, and organizations worldwide. Now in its third year, the Anthem Awards are the biggest and most comprehensive social impact award in the world. 

"The work that we have received in the 3rd Annual Anthem Anthem Awards is game-changing. From innovative projects fighting climate change to impactful calls for equal rights across the globe - the Anthem Finalists are a bright light in our uncertain world," said Patricia McLoughlin, Anthem Awards General Manager. "The Anthem Awards are proud to be able to amplify the voices sparking change, and we invite everyone to join us in celebration of this work through Anthem Community Voice."

The Chess for Freedom program was launched in 2021 when the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Cook County Sheriff's Office (Chicago, USA) signed a cooperation agreement to promote chess in prisons and organize chess tournaments among prisons. This project kicked off with an online conference and an exhibition tournament with four participant countries. Later, it grew into an annual Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners. On October 11-13, 2023, a record-breaking 118 teams from 50 countries took part in its 3rd edition.

"When we started organizing online chess events for people in prison in May 2021, we had just four participating countries. In October 2023, we have teams from over 50 countries playing in our event. This is a great result, but not a limit for us. We want much more since every project means changed lives. Being an Anthem Awards Finalist is another big step forward to promoting our initiative and getting more people involved in it. FIDE is very proud to be among the best purpose and mission-driven projects, people, companies and organizations worldwide." said Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board. "We are motivated to promote the initiative because we see the power and impact of chess in reducing anxiety, depression, and level of repeated infringement of law. Chess helps to understand the cause and the consequences and allows the inmates to better reintegrate into society. Thus the, society also becomes safer."

New this year, fans can support and celebrate this year's Finalists through Anthem Community Voice from now until December 21, 2023. The for-profit and nonprofit entries in each category with the greatest amount of support will win the first-ever Anthem Community Voice Awards. Chess for Freedom project can be supported here.

Winners for the 3rd Annual Anthem Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. This year, The Anthem Awards will be recognizing Winners at an in-person event in New York City, and all Winners will be marked in history and celebrated in the Anthem Winner's Gallery with their "Call to Action Speech". 

Photos: Stev Bonhage

About The Anthem Awards

Launched in 2021 by The Webby Awards, The Anthem Awards honors the purpose & mission-driven work of people, companies and organizations worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, we're defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their own communities. The Anthem Awards honors work across seven core causes: Diversity; Equity & Inclusion; Education; Art & Culture; Health; Human & Civil Rights; Humanitarian Action & Services; Responsible Technology; and Sustainability, Environment & Climate. Founded in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, Glaad, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF, and XQ.