The Creative Europe Desk Greece is pleased to announce the launch of the first call for applications for the Simone Veil Prize! This new, annual European cultural initiative is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, aiming to highlight the profound significance of Jewish cultural heritage in our shared European history.
Inspiration and Objectives
The prize honors the legacy of Simone Veil (1927–2017), a Holocaust survivor, a dedicated human rights advocate, and the first elected President of the European Parliament. The initiative seeks to recognize projects and initiatives—ranging from local to cross-border levels—that utilize cultural heritage as a dynamic tool to foster dialogue, inclusion, and social cohesion, while actively combating antisemitism.
The 5 Award Categories
Applicants can submit their projects under one of the following five categories:
-
Shared Histories: Initiatives that deepen the understanding of Europe’s interconnected history, highlighting the contributions of Jewish heritage.
-
Heritage for Dialogue: Projects promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue to combat intolerance and prejudice.
-
Living Heritage: Actions that keep Jewish heritage alive, relevant, and accessible to the needs of contemporary society.
-
Cross-border Cooperation and Shared Narratives: Collaborative, transnational projects that strengthen a shared European identity.
-
Next Generation, Youth Engagement and Education: Initiatives engaging students, educators, and young people in shaping the future of European memory.
Eligibility and Awards
-
Who can apply: Natural and legal persons established in countries participating in the Culture strand of the Creative Europe Programme (including Greece). Each applicant may submit up to two different applications in two separate categories.
-
Eligible Projects: Local or cross-border initiatives completed between January 2023 and January 2026.
-
The Awards: Up to 25 finalists will be selected, and 5 grand winners (one per category) will be announced, each receiving a cash prize of €10,000 at a special award ceremony in Brussels.
Deadline and Submission
The deadline for applications is Friday, July 31, 2026 (23:59 CET).
For further details, comprehensive guidelines, and application materials, please visit the official website: Simone Veil Prize.
To get a comprehensive visual overview of the application process and the objectives of the program, you can watch the official Simone Veil Prize Information Video.