EU regions launch new edition of democracy award honouring local leaders

European Committee of the Regions opens nominations for award previously won by jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and Vitaliy Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv.

The European Committee of the Regions on 6 May launched the sixth edition of the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award during its plenary session, calling for nominations of “everyday heroes” who, with courage and perseverance, defend freedom, democracy and the rule of law at the local level.

The last winner was Ekrem İmamoğlu, the imprisoned mayor of Istanbul, whose commitment for local democracy was recognised at the CoR’s plenary session this March.

The award recognises local leaders and civic actors who defend European values, often under difficult conditions. It is named after Paweł Adamowicz, the mayor of Gdańsk who was assassinated in 2019 after a prolonged campaign of hate speech.

The award is a joint initiative of the City of Gdańsk the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN).

Nominations are open until 31 October 2026. Members of the CoR, mayors, presidents of regions, Members of the European Parliament, and civil society organisations are invited to propose candidates. For further information and to submit a nomination, please go to the Award webpage, the nomination rules and the online nomination form.

Quote:

Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions: "This Award is not only a tribute, but a political statement. It stands as a clear commitment to defend local democracy and fundamental freedoms wherever they are challenged. At a time when democratic values are increasingly under pressure, this Award is our collective European call to stand with those who defend freedom and democracy at local level, often at great personal risk.”

More information:

• Paweł Adamowicz served as mayor of the Polish port city of Gdańsk from 1998 until his assassination in 2019. He was a member of the European Committeee of the Regions for many years. His murder was preceded by a rise in hate speech directed against him. He was stabbed on 13 January 2019 while speaking at a charity event.His last words were: "Gdańsk is generous, Gdańsk shares its good, Gdańsk wants to be a city of solidarity. This is a wonderful time to share the good. You are loved.”
• In 2026, the jury unanimously selected Ekrem İmamoğlu, the democratically elected Mayor of Istanbul and Chair of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye, as the laureate of the fifth edition of the Award.
• In 2025 Vitaliy Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv (Ukraine), became the fourth laureate of Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award. He was nominated for his leadership in fostering civic engagement, even amidst the extreme challenges of war.
• Special Recognition awards have been given on four occasions. In 2026, the jury recognised Mary Crilly, founder and director of the Sexual Violence Centre in Cork, Ireland. In 2025, Bassam Aramin and Rami Elhanan from the Parents' Circle Family Forum received special recognition for their efforts to bring reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis. Following Mayor Adamowicz’s murder, the CoR adopted a resolution in February 2019 condemning hate speech and threats of all kinds against political leaders. In 2022, the CoR supported the European Commission's proposals to add hate speech and hate crimes to the list of offences recognised in EU policy, through an opinion drafted by Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, who succeeded Paweł Adamowicz as Mayor of Gdańsk. The International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) is an international organisation of 80 cities and regions in Europe and beyond, offering safe haven to persecuted writers and artists, advancing freedom of expression, defending democratic values and promoting international solidarity.
• Website with information about Paweł Adamowicz and the anniversary of his assassination: Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award - website: #AdamowiczAward