European Charlemagne Youth Prize

Since 2008, just before the awarding of the International Charlemagne Prize in Aachen, the European Charlemagne Youth Prize (ECYP) has been awarded. Annually, the European Parliament and the International Charlemagne Prize Foundation in Aachen announce a competition aimed at encouraging young people throughout the European Union to actively participate in shaping Europe.

The competition targets young people aged between 16 and 30 in all EU member states, inviting them to present projects that promote European understanding.

From the best projects in each of the 27 member states, a jury comprising representatives from the European Parliament and the Charlemagne Prize Foundation selects the European winner of the European Charlemagne Youth Prize, as well as second and third place, who receive a total prize money of €15,000.

The award ceremony takes place two days before Ascension Day in Aachen and is conducted by the President of the European Parliament and the Chairman of the Charlemagne Prize Foundation. All national winners are invited to attend the ceremony, and during their four-day stay in Aachen, the young people also participate in award ceremony of the traditional Charlemagne Prize. Additionally, the top three winners are granted a visit to the European Parliament.

The European Charlemagne Youth Prize is the result of a joint initiative by the former President of the European Parliament, Prof. Dr. Hans-Gert Pöttering, and the Honorary Chairman of the Charlemagne Prize Foundation, Dr. André Leysen. Over the years, more than 5,000 competition entries from across Europe, involving tens of thousands of young people, have been submitted for the award.

Learn more about the European Charlemagne Youth Prize here.

Meet the 2023 winners.