Pan-European Projects Win European Charlemagne Youth Prize

Three exceptional pan-European projects from Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Germany have been honored with the prestigious 2025 European Charlemagne Youth Prize. The European Parliament, in conjunction with the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen, presented the awards at a ceremony in Aachen, recognizing the outstanding contributions of these initiatives to promote European identity, democracy, and social justice.

The first prize of €7500 was awarded to Forum Europaeum, a Hungarian platform that serves as a think tank and media outlet, focusing on fostering European identity, values, and unity through a variety of media formats. The project aims to engage young people in constructive dialogues on topics relevant to European society, utilizing articles, podcasts, TikTok videos, and interviews to explore European identity and address societal challenges.

Securing the second prize of €5000 was the “Thanks That We Can Vote” initiative from the Czech Republic. This project was designed to increase electoral participation among young people in the country, particularly during the 2024 European Elections. By targeting 18-29-year-old voters and employing educational and collaborative strategies, the initiative aimed to combat apathy and enhance engagement in the political process.

The third prize of €2500 was bestowed upon the Feminist Law Clinic from Germany, a project dedicated to providing free legal support to individuals affected by gender-based discrimination, sexual violence, and legal uncertainties. The project focuses on supporting marginalized groups such as women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, trans, agender, and queer individuals.

The European Charlemagne Youth Prize, established in 2008, celebrates the efforts of young people aged 16-30 who are involved in projects that promote democracy and active participation. This year, 27 national winners were invited to the award ceremony in Aachen, where the three EU winners were announced. The prize aims to recognize and encourage initiatives that strengthen European unity, civic engagement, and democratic values.