Become a partner of the Echo Award 2026
With your partnership, you’ll gain access to the ECHO network and a head start in 2027: advice or participation in the Critical Friends Program.
Who is ECHO, and what is the ECHO Award?
ECHO
The Center of Expertise for Diversity Policy: an independent social enterprise that has been serving government, education, and the business community for over 30 years.
We facilitate difficult conversations. We bring different perspectives to the table, along with relevant frameworks, without a patronizing tone and with jargon explained clearly. In practice, we offer customized solutions: from baseline assessments and surveys to comprehensive programs.
The ECHO Award
The annual award for outstanding students from non-Western or refugee backgrounds who are already making an impact. Colleges and universities nominate them; this year there are 27 nominees and 11 finalists. The award ceremony will take place on December 10 at Amsterdam UMC.
The Award showcases what is possible when talent isn’t limited from the start, and brings the ECHO Ambassadors together with organizations that want to get to know them.
What are the benefits of your partnership?
A Flying Start in 2027
Don’t start your D&I year on your own. We’ll work with you to assess where your organization stands and determine what the logical next step is.
Choose a next step that fits your needs: participation in the Critical Friends Program for your leaders, or consulting from ECHO.
A Facilitator for the Difficult Conversation
Don’t start your D&I year on your own. We’ll work with you to assess where your organization stands and determine what the logical next step is.
Choose a next step that fits your needs: participation in the Critical Friends Program for your leaders, or advice from ECHO.
Access to the ECHO Network
Don’t start your D&I year on your own. We’ll work with you to assess where your organization stands and determine what the logical next step is.
Choose a next step that fits your needs: participation in the Critical Friends Program for your leaders, or advice from ECHO.
Here's how it fits into your year:
Now through December 31
Become a partner of the ECHO Awards this year. You’ll gain access to our network and be featured as a partner of the Awards.
December 10
Ambassadors, the jury, and other partners: a network you don’t always come across just like that.
Q1 2027
We present different perspectives and provide frameworks to help contextualize them. This isn’t a lecture—it’s a conversation that makes it possible to discuss uncomfortable topics.
A Look Back at the 2025 ECHO Award
Read more about the nominees, finalists and award ceremony of last year’s ECHO Award.
These organizations partnered with us in previous editions of the ECHO Award:
Let’s get to know each other
Send us an email! During an introductory meeting, we’ll work with you to determine what your sponsorship will entail: a contribution and a package tailored to your specific needs.
Why ECHO?
30+ years
of experience in diversity and inclusion.
500+
ECHO Ambassadors in the network
December 10
ECHO Award 2026, Amsterdam UMC. This annual event brings together so many elements of our vision. And you’re invited!