Moldova has been included among one of the most important projects of the ERSTE Foundation – the Foundation's Award for Social Integration, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to a press release from the Foundation, the Award is given once in two to innovative projects that make a significant contribution to the social development in civil societies from Central and South Eastern European countries. The idea of the Award is to give due recognition to the role of individuals and groups in this region in creating societies that provide equal opportunities for everyone, and inclusion opportunities for disadvantaged, vulnerable groups and people with special needs. Consequently, the Award is given to innovative and creative social integration projects that have made a valuable impact and difference in the intended beneficiaries. The number of countries registered a significant evolution from one edition of the Award to another, from 4 countries in 2007 - Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia, to 8 countries in 2009 – when Kosovo, Macedonia Montenegro and Romania joined. In 2011, the Award will expand to four more countries: Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic and Moldova. The application period for 2011 Award will start on 1 September 2010 and the deadline for submitting applications is 30 November 2010. ERSTE Foundation is the main shareholder of Erste Group, an international retail banking group active in Central and Eastern Europe.