European Parliament - Charlemagne Youth Prize

Benefit

The three best youth projects in Europe win 7,500 EUR, 5,000 EUR or 2,500 EUR for first, second and third place. This is a competition prize for a project you already run, not a study grant. The three European winners present their project at the European Parliament. They can also do a paid 5-month Schuman traineeship (a work placement) at the Parliament within 12 months of the ceremony. Each of the 27 EU countries also has one national winner, who gets a certificate and a free trip to the award ceremony in Aachen, Germany. The European Parliament runs the prize together with the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen.

Eligibility

• Age: On the day you apply, you will be between 16 and 30 years old.
• Where you live: You live in one of the 27 EU countries. Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply.
• Your project: Your project is already showing results. It brings Europeans together, strengthens a shared European identity or engages other young people in democracy. Ideas and projects that have only just got off the ground do not count.
• Type of project: Any format is permitted, for example youth exchanges, festivals, exhibitions, training courses or online projects. Academic theses, publications, profit-making activities and projects run by government bodies are excluded.
• Who submits: You may apply either on your own behalf or on behalf of a group or organisation. The person submitting the application must meet the age and residence requirements.
• Not eligible: You are not employed by an EU institution or the Charlemagne Prize Foundation, and your project has not yet received an award from an EU body.
• Bonus: Projects involving young people from more than one EU country will be given priority.

How to apply

Apply by 2 February using the European Parliament’s online form in any EU language. You may submit several projects, but each project may only be submitted once and in one country only. A national jury will select one winner per country. A European jury will then select the three best entries from among these 27 national winners.

How realistic are your chances?

Every year, there are 27 national winners – one from each EU country – and only 3 of them receive prize money at European level.