PEP was nominated for the 2000 King Baudouin International Prize, by DMOS-Comide of Brussels, Belgium. In both 2001 and 2005 was recognized by the World Bank’s Global Development Network as one of the top ten “Most Innovative Development Projects” in the world. In 2007 and 2008, PEP was among ten short-listed for the Rio Tinto Alcan Prize for Sustainability. In 2007, PEP was informed that it was third out of 153 applicant organizations.

William Christensen (the Founder & Voluntary Consultant of the organization), the social entrepreneur, received the Soldier of Justice Certificate of Honor for 1999 from the Center for Economic and Social Justice of Washington DC. The award was given for building “effective organizations dedicated to the dignity and fullest development of those abandoned by society….which has given hope and dignity to thousands.”