The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is the world’s largest prize for children’s and young adult literature. The award, which amounts to SEK 5 million, is awarded annually to a single recipient or to several. Authors, illustrators, oral storytellers and those active in reading promotion may be rewarded. The award is designed to promote interest in children’s and young adult literature, and in children’s rights, globally. An expert jury selects the winners from candidates nominated by institutions and organisations worldwide. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is administered by the Swedish Arts Council, and was founded by the Swedish government in 2002.

Nominating bodies around the world: http://www.alma.se/Documents/2012/Nominating%20bodies%20for%20the%202013%20award.pdf

More info: http://www.alma.se/en/About-the-award/

Swedish Arts Council (Kulturrådet) is a government authority whose principal task is to implement national cultural policy determined by the Parliament.

The Swedish Arts Council supports, develops and initiates interaction between the state, the regions, municipalities and representatives for cultural life in Sweden, e.g. libraries, museums and performing arts centres. The aim is to safeguard and develop Swedish national cultural policy, and to promote cultural diversity and an even geographical spread in cultural provision.