Call for Nominations: Vigdís Prize for Women’s Empowerment 2026

Nominations are now open for the Vigdís Prize for Women’s Empowerment 2026. This prestigious international award celebrates exceptional work toward a more equitable world. The prize is jointly awarded by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Government of Iceland, in honor of Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, the world’s first democratically elected female president.

Purpose of the Nominations

The prize seeks to spotlight and reward groundbreaking contributions to gender equality. It honours individuals, organizations, or companies from any region of the world that have demonstrated innovation, impact, and commitment in advancing women’s and girls’ rights, opportunities, and empowerment.

Prize Details

• Award amount: A substantial €60,000 grant, intended to provide meaningful support for the laureate’s ongoing or future initiatives.
• Award ceremony: The prize will be formally presented on 22 June 2026 at a distinguished ceremony in Strasbourg, France, at the Council of Europe’s headquarters.

Key Dates

• Nomination deadline: All submissions must be received by 27 March 2026. Late entries will not be considered.
• Award ceremony: The winner will be celebrated on 22 June 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to individuals, non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, academic institutions, and private sector companies.
• Nominees must have a proven track record of impactful work in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Self-nominations are not permitted.

How to Apply

• Prepare a comprehensive nomination dossier in either English or French, the two official languages of the Council of Europe.
• Each nomination must be endorsed and supported by five distinct sponsors who can attest to the nominee’s achievements.
• All materials must be submitted electronically through the official Council of Europe online portal.

Apply Here

Complete the nomination process and access the official guidelines via the dedicated prize website. Click  here to apply