expression, noun
try-hard award; consolation prize
A lighthearted, informal award given to someone who tried hard but didn't win; often used in school or workplace settings.
運動会で、彼は最下位だったけど、がんばったで賞をもらった。
At the sports day, he came in last, but he got a try-hard award.
毎日練習したのに試合に負けた。でも、みんなからがんばったで賞をもらったよ。
I practiced every day but lost the match. Still, everyone gave me a consolation prize for trying hard.
参加賞 is a participation prize given to all participants, while がんばったで賞 is specifically for effort, often with a humorous or sympathetic tone.
A phrase combining 頑張った (past tense of 頑張る, 'to do one's best') + で (case particle) + 賞 ('prize'). The exact origin is uncertain; it likely arose in informal settings like school events.