Im Rahmen einer feierlichen Zeremonie three projects were awarded the European Youth Charlemagne Prize in Aachen today, May 12. An Estonian project to promote the participation of women, a French app for political engagement and a Spanish network for relations with China received the prestigious prize. Every year, the European Parliament and the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen Foundation select a project from aListe nationaler Gewinner three projects led by young people that promote democracy and active citizenship and bring people together. Aachen's Lord Mayor Michael Ziemons was impressed by the commitment of the younger generation: "The fact that 531 groups applied makes us proud."

Erster Preis: ATHENA – Advancing Women's Leadership in Inclusive Democracy, Estland

The project supports democratic participation of young women in Estonia and encourages them to move into leadership positions. The initiative helps girls and women between the ages of 16 and 26 to develop self-confidence, skills and networks to play an active role in social life and public decision-making processes. The project addresses the circumstances that prevent women from becoming involved in leadership and politics. These include limited access to mentoring, professional networks and institutional spaces. The first prize is worth 7,500 euros dotiert. Die Laudatio auf den Erstplatzierten hielt Sabine Verheyen, Vizepräsidentin des Europäischen Parlaments. Sie würdigte insbesondere den europäischen Ansatz des Projekts sowie dessen Beitrag zu einer stärkeren Beteiligung junger Frauen an demokratischen Prozessen. 

Zweiter Preis: Pol – Bekämpfung von Fehlinformationen und Stärkung der Bürgerbeteiligung durch eine App, Frankreich

Pol is a political engagement app that allows citizens to vote on bills currently being debated in the French National Assembly and to participate in opinion polls. The app is aimed at young people who feel that politics does not take their concerns sufficiently into account. Pol tries to make legislative procedures more accessible and understandable in order to counteract the alienation of democracy and fights disinformation with facts. The second prize is worth 5,000 euros dotiert. Angela Maas, daughter of Charlemagne Prize co-founder Albert Maas, gave the laudatory speech for the runner-up. "The Charlemagne Youth Prize is a highlight for me," said the well-known journalist and TV presenter.

Dritter Preis: European Guanxi, Spanien

The European Guanxi network was founded to provide in-depth European analysis on China and to strengthen EU-China relations. It was created by young Europeans to address the lack of a Europe-wide platform for young people engaged with China. The network aims to promote a common European approach to China, encourage democratic participation and contribute to a more unified European voice in international affairs. Der dritte Preis ist mit 2.500 Euro dotiert. Oberbürgermeister Michael Ziemons sagte in seiner Laudatio: Hier wurde eine Plattform geschaffen, die Europa nicht als Summe einzelner Sichtweisen versteht, sondern als gemeinsamen analytischen Rahmen." 

TheEuropäische Jugendkarlspreis recognizes initiatives by young people between the ages of 16 and 30 who are involved in projects with a strong EU connection. Over 7,600 projects have applied for the award since 2008.

Every year, national juries from each EU member state select one project. The27 nationalen Gewinnerinnen und Gewinnerwill be invited to the award ceremony, where the three winning projects selected by the European jury will be announced. The prize will be awarded in the run-up to theVerleihung des Internationalen Karlspreises zu Aachenwhich takes place this year on May 14.

Auch nach der offiziellen Ehrung steht der europäische Austausch weiter im Mittelpunkt: Beim Forum „#nofilter meets Karlspreis“ kommen die Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer am Abend mit Journalistinnen und Journalisten, Start-ups und weiteren Akteurinnen und Akteuren zusammen, um über Europas Zukunft zu diskutieren und neue Perspektiven zu entwickeln. 

Musikalisch begleitet wurde die Verleihung des Jugendkarlspreises vom Sinfonieorchester des Aachener Einhard-Gymnasiums mit rund 50 jungen Musikerinnen und Musikern. Mit Interpretationen bekannter Queen-Stücke sorgte das Orchester während der Preisverleihung für besondere Momente.

Weitere Informationen

Website of the European Charlemagne Youth Prize: https://youth.europarl.europa.eu/de/more-information/charlemagne-prize.html 

2026 European Charlemagne Youth Prize: Summaries of the national winners https://youth.europarl.europa.eu/files/live/sites/youthhub/files/assets/documents/cyp/ecyp2026-project-summaries.pdf

Ausschuss für Kultur und Bildung: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/de/cult/home/highlights

Internationaler Karlspreis zu Aachen: https://www.karlspreis.de/de/