The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has opened applications for the 16th edition of the Civil Society Prize. This year's competition theme is "Fighting Poverty in the European Union", and the total prize fund of EUR 30,000 will be shared among up to three winners.
The prize is intended for non-profit initiatives that make a significant contribution to combating poverty by alleviating the effects of material deprivation, promoting the economic and social inclusion of people living in poverty, and creating an enabling environment that prevents poverty and provides protection against it.
Applications may be submitted until 6 November 2026 at 10:00 CET. Detailed information about the prize, the competition rules, and the application procedure is available on the European Economic and Social Committee website. The award ceremony will take place during Civil Society Week in spring 2027.
Established by the EESC in 2006, the Civil Society Prize recognises and encourages outstanding achievements and initiatives by civil society organisations and individuals at the European, national, regional, and local levels. It honours creative and innovative initiatives that have a lasting positive impact and contribute to promoting European identity, European citizenship, and the process of European integration.
