Simone Veil Prize celebrates Jewish cultural heritage
By honouring initiatives that make cultural memory accessible and meaningful for all, regardless of age, background, or belief, the Simone Veil Prize affirms heritage as a living resource for education, reconciliation, and democratic engagement.
What is the Simone Veil Prize?
The Simone Veil Prize is an annual European cultural award co-funded under the Creative Europe Programme. This prize recognises projects and initiatives, from local communities to cross-border collaborations, that use cultural heritage to foster dialogue and inclusion, promote deeper knowledge and understanding of European history, raise awareness of cultural diversity, and strengthen a shared sense of European cultural identity.
Up to 25 finalists will be selected and recognised for their outstanding contributions. Among them, five Grand Prix winners (one per category) will each receive a €10,000 award.
Who was Simone Veil?
The prize honours the legacy of Simone Veil (1927-2017), a Jewish Holocaust survivor who dedicated her life to reconciliation, passionately promoting human rights and European unity. As the first president of the European Parliament, she campaigned against antisemitism and fought for a unified Europe of shared ideals, making her a powerful symbol of the values the prize seeks to celebrate.
Who can apply?
The Prize is open to individuals and organisations based in countries participating in the Creative Europe Programme. Each applicant may submit up to two applications, provided they are two different projects and in two different categories.
What kind of projects?
The Prize recognises projects that engage with Jewish cultural heritage to promote dialogue, inclusion, and a deeper understanding of Europe’s shared history. Projects should demonstrate:
- Contribution to intercultural dialogue, social participation, and democratic resilience
- Engagement with communities and diverse audiences
- Promotion of shared European values and cultural understanding
- Social impact and relevance
- Projects must have been completed within the past three years (in the period between January 2023 and January 2026)
- Particular attention will be given to initiatives that:
- Highlight lesser-known narratives
- Foster intergenerational exchange
- Empower young people
- Promote inclusive and participatory approaches.
Prize categories
Applicants are invited to submit projects under one of the following categories:
- Shared Histories
- Heritage for Dialogue
- Living Heritage
- Cross-border Cooperation and Shared Narratives
- Next Generation, Youth Engagement and Education.
How to Apply
- Review the call details on the Simone Veil Prize wesbite
- Prepare your application materials
- Submit your application by email.
- Application deadline: 22.59 GMT / 23.59 CET, Friday 31 July 2026.
Find out more and download the Application Form and the Code of Ethics on the Simone Veil Prize wesbite.