In 2016, The Gattamelata Award for Institutions was awarded to the University of Padua stating, “The 2016 Gattamelata Prize was awarded to the University of Padua for its commitment to promote an active inclusion process that reaches beyond the general concept of integration, made possible through the involvement of both internal and external participants.”  The Award Ceremony was held at the Botanical Garden, on the occasion of the Conference entitled “The essential is invisible to the eyes: actions, faces and dreams of volunteering in Padua”.

The Award, established in 2005 by the Provincial Voluntary Service Centre of Padua (Centro Servizio Volontariato provinciale di Padova), rewards volunteers, associations, companies, institutions, and citizens involved in actions of solidarity.

Since its tenth edition, the Award has taken on a national character and, in 2016, 8 winners were presented in 4 categories; Company, Institution, Association, and Community Services. The “Institution” category is awarded to those who promote projects or actions aimed at improving or safeguarding the quality of environmental and social living conditions in the territory.  Stating, "The 2016 Gattamelata Prize was awarded to the University of Padua for its commitment to promote an active inclusion process that reaches beyond the general concept of integration, made possible through the involvement of both internal and external participants”.

“It is with great satisfaction that the University of Padua was among the winners of the 2016 Gattamelata Prize”, says the Rector of the University of Padua, “In fact, even though this is now a national-scale event, it remains very close to the territory of Padua. As I have stated in the past, the link with the surrounding environment is fundamental for our University. I thank all of those who are working on active inclusion at our University, beginning with the Delegate for Inclusion and Disability. Aware of the importance of this topic, we must continue along this path with passion and dedication. Many of our Departments contributed significantly to this project and this represents one of the greatest strengths of the University of Padua: bringing together their collective sensitivity, knowledge and different approaches as pieces of a unified single mosaic.”

The recognition was made possible with the collaboration of the entire University, from students to teaching staff, to technical and administrative staff.  The ceremony took place on Saturday, December 3 in the auditorium of the Botanical Garden.