2012 Principal Prince Claus Award to Argentinian publishing co-operative Eloísa Cartonera

Eloísa Cartonera is a publishing co-operative of handmade books of recycled materials. The materials are collected by cartoneros, unemployed who tried to survive after Argentina's political and economic collapse in 2001. Drawn to Eloísa's social solidarity, established and emerging Latin American writers donate short stories, novels and other forms of literature. Eloísa Cartonera transformed 'the book' from an unattainable object into a widely accessible source of pleasure, knowledge and self-development. More than 60 cartonera publishers are currently operating in countries across Latin America