Supporting innovative projects that improve the lives of people affected by colorectal cancer

The Wolfram Nolte Memorial Award is an annual €5,000 award from Digestive Cancers Europe that supports innovative projects developed by DiCE Member Organisations to address unmet needs in colorectal cancer care and support.

Established in memory of patient advocate Wolfram Nolte, the award helps turn promising ideas into practical initiatives that can make a meaningful difference for people living with colorectal cancer and their carers.

About the Wolfram Nolte Memorial Award

Wolfram Nolte was a respected patient advocate and former leader of a DiCE Member Organisation in Germany. He lived with metastatic colorectal cancer for 10 years and dedicated much of that time to patient support and advocacy, using his experience to help others affected by the disease.

Digestive Cancers Europe established the Wolfram Nolte Memorial Award in his memory in 2019.

Each year, the award recognises a new and meaningful project designed to address an unmet need experienced by people affected by colorectal cancer. DiCE particularly encourages initiatives with the potential to create lasting impact and that could be adapted or replicated in other European countries.

Who can apply?

The Wolfram Nolte Memorial Award is open to DiCE Full Member Organisations.

Eligible projects should address an unmet need affecting people with colorectal cancer, their carers, or both, within the Member Organisation’s country.

The winning organisation receives €5,000 to support the implementation of its project.

DiCE publishes details of each annual call, including the application deadline and submission requirements, through its grants programme.

What are we looking for?

Projects are assessed by an independent jury using six key criteria:

• Importance of the unmet need being addressed
• Innovation and added value of the proposed project
• Ability to measure outcomes and impact
• Feasibility and achievability
• Involvement of relevant stakeholders
• Potential for sustainability and longer-term impact

DiCE also encourages projects that can generate learning or approaches that may be useful to patient organisations in other European countries.

Recent Wolfram Nolte Memorial Award winners

2025 Winner: EuropaColon Slovenia

Heart to Heart Carer Support Programme

EuropaColon Slovenia received the 2025 Wolfram Nolte Memorial Award for Heart to Heart, an initiative that gives family carers the knowledge, practical skills, and psychosocial support they need when caring for someone affected by cancer.

The programme combines practical information, expert guidance, emotional support and opportunities for carers to connect with others who understand their experiences.

By recognising carers as an essential part of cancer care, Heart to Heart aims to strengthen carers’ confidence and wellbeing while also improving the quality of support available to patients.

Read about the 2025 winning project

2024 Winner: Recover With Us Association, Hungary

Improving prehabilitation care for people with colorectal cancer

The 2024 Wolfram Nolte Memorial Award was presented to Recover With Us Association in Hungary for the project:

“Improving the quality of patient care and scientific research to develop an optimal form of prehabilitation care.”

The project focuses on improving care for people with colorectal cancer through the development of an optimal approach to prehabilitation.

Prehabilitation aims to help patients prepare physically and psychologically for cancer treatment, with the goal of strengthening their overall condition and supporting their recovery and quality of life.

The Hungarian project was selected from three proposals submitted by DiCE Member Organisations in Cyprus, Hungary and Slovakia.

Read about the 2024 winning project

Previous winners

2023: OnkoAlliance, Latvia

Producing Educational Material for Colorectal Cancer Patients with Low Anterior Resection Syndrome

OnkoAlliance developed educational resources to help people affected by Low Anterior Resection Syndrome, commonly known as LARS, better understand the condition and its management. The initiative included medical information, practical guidance, patient experiences and frequently asked questions.

2022: EuropaColon Portugal

Training on care for people with a digestive elimination ostomy

EuropaColon Portugal developed a training initiative addressing gaps in education and support related to ostomy care. The project sought to strengthen knowledge among healthcare professionals while improving support for patients and carers before and after surgery.

2021: EuropaColon Poland

Colorectal cancer during pregnancy

EuropaColon Poland developed educational materials to raise awareness of colorectal cancer during pregnancy, helping patients and healthcare professionals recognise symptoms that might otherwise be overlooked or attributed to pregnancy.

2020: EuropaColon Portugal

Supporting people with metastatic colorectal cancer and their loved ones

EuropaColon Portugal received the award for a project focused on providing palliative and supportive care for people living with metastatic colorectal cancer and those close to them.

2019: EuropaColon Poland

Supporting people experiencing complications following colorectal cancer surgery

EuropaColon Poland received the first Wolfram Nolte Memorial Award for a project addressing anorectal complications and stomas after colorectal cancer surgery.

The initiative provided practical support through expert advice, educational videos and written materials designed to help patients manage the physical and emotional consequences of treatment.

Turning patient needs into practical solutions

Across Europe, patient organisations understand many of the challenges faced by people affected by colorectal cancer because they hear directly from patients, carers and families.

The Wolfram Nolte Memorial Award helps DiCE Member Organisations transform that knowledge into practical projects that can improve care, information, support and quality of life.

By investing in ideas developed within the patient community, we continue Wolfram Nolte’s commitment to ensuring that people affected by colorectal cancer are heard, informed and supported.

Interested in applying?

DiCE announces the Wolfram Nolte Memorial Award call annually.

Full Member Organisations are invited to follow DiCE’s grant announcements for information about eligibility, application requirements and deadlines.