charity
DAME DESIGN AWARDS CHARITY
📅 Application Deadline: 2 May 2025
🏆 Charity Announcement: Mid-June
🌍 Donation Presentation: 18 November 2025, during the Metstrade opening ceremony
Every year, the DAME Design Awards' total registration fees are contributed to a designated charity, serving as the Metstrade community's gesture of giving back to society. The Metstrade Exhibition Committee carefully chooses a charity to receive these funds annually, which may include a single charity or two different ones.
Eligible charities can submit their applications by 2 May 2025, for a chance to receive both a financial donation and valuable exposure to further their mission within the marine community. Since 2008, over €250,000 has been donated to impactful causes.
In 2024, it has been decided by the Metstrade Exhibition Committee that the proceeds from the DAME Design Awards will be donated to SailWise, the Dutch provider of multi-day, challenging water sports activities and holidays for people with a physical or sensory disability. View what SailWise has done with the donation and make sure to submit your charity for 2025 via the button below.
2024 Charity: SailWise
For 50 years, SailWise has been the only provider in the Netherlands of multi-day, challenging water sports activities and holidays for people with a physical or sensory disability, an intellectual disability or non-congenital brain damage. Not only do they enjoy an unforgettable holiday on and around the water, but these activities also appear to have several positive effects on their self-reliance and rehabilitation. Participants in the water sports holidays come from Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain and the Netherlands.
The objective of SailWise is to promote social well-being, physical and mental independence and the integration of people with a disability or disability through (the provision of) water sports facilities; and promoting participation of people with disabilities in water sports activities.
Our mission is to help people with disabilities experience and expand their potential (Fit to Sail) through accessible water sports activities in a relaxed and safe environment for everyone (Sailing for All).
Dame charities over the years (2008-2023)
2023: The Magenta Project
2022: World Sailing Trust
2021: Blue Marine Foundation - To Protect Our Ocean
2019: Sailing4Handicaps & The Little Optimist
2018: The Blue Marine Foundation & Wetwheels Foundation
2017: Sailing Kids & VOKK
2016: AMREF Flying Doctors*
2015: Sailability
2014: AMREF Flying Doctors*
2013: Sailability & Freedom Waters
2012: AMREF Flying Doctors*
2011: Stichting Sailing Kids
2010: Whisper Boat Building Academy
2009: AMREF Flying Doctors 2008: International Federation of Disabled Sailing (IFDS)
* From 2012 to 2016, AMREF Flying Doctors, the international charity supported by RAI Amsterdam - received the DAME donation every other year.