On Tuesday, three projects – from Estonia, France and Spain – were awarded the 2026 European Charlemagne Youth Prize at a ceremony in Aachen. Every year, the European Parliament and the Foundation for the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen select three youth-led projects that foster democracy, promote active citizenship and bring communities together, from a list of national winners.
First prize – ATHENA – Advancing Women’s Leadership in Inclusive Democracy, Estonia
This project supports the democratic participation and leadership of young women in Estonia. The initiative helps girls and women aged between 16 and 26 to develop the confidence, skills and networks they need to play an active role in civic life and public decision-making processes. It addresses the barriers that often deter women from participating in leadership and politics, such as limited access to mentorship, professional networks and institutional spaces. The first prize is €7,500.
Second prize – Pol – Combating misinformation and strengthening citizen participation through an app!, France
Pol is a political engagement app that enables citizens to vote on bills currently being examined by the French National Assembly and take part in opinion polls. The app targets young people, who feel often disconnected from traditional politics. By making legislative processes more accessible and understandable, Pol seeks to address democratic disengagement and combat disinformation through fact-based contextualisation.
The second prize is €5,000.
Third prize – European Guanxi, Spain
European Guanxi is a network founded to strengthen informed European analysis on China and relations between the EU and China. Created by young Europeans in response to the absence of a Europe-wide platform connecting young people engaged with China, it seeks to strengthen European cohesion on China, supports democratic participation, and contributes to a more coherent European voice on international affairs. The third prize is €2,500.
Background
The European Charlemagne Youth Prize, awarded jointly by the European Parliament and the Foundation for the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen, is open to initiatives by young people aged 16 to 30 who are involved in projects with a strong EU dimension. Since 2008, over 7,600 projects have competed for the prize.
Every year, national juries select one project from each EU member state. The 27 national youth winners are invited to the award ceremony, where the three European laureates, chosen by a European jury, are announced. The ceremony takes place ahead of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen presentation event, which this year is on 14 May.