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Euro-Mediterranean Women in Journalism Award - Call for Applications 2026
Overview
Journalism plays a central role in shaping public discourse, combating stereotypes, and supporting evidence-based policymaking. Despite progress, women remain underrepresented and under‑recognised in media ecosystems, and gender‑insensitive narratives and disinformation persist across the Euro Mediterranean region.
Launched in 2026 by the Union for the Mediterranean in partnership with the Euro-Mediterranean Network of Women Journalists, the award responds to these challenges by recognising excellence in gender‑sensitive, evidence‑based and solutions‑oriented journalism, including reporting that critically examines responses to societal challenges as well as their effectiveness, limitations and broader impact.
This initiative falls under the UfM’s mandate to promote dialogue, cooperation and inclusive development as well as its goals to amplify women’s voices and leadership through close collaboration with media and social media actors. It also aligns with the aims of the Euro-Mediterranean Network of Women Journalists, established by the UfM in 2025 to empower, connect, and strengthen the role of women in the media in our region.
Anna Lindh Foundation’s president, Her Royal Highness princess Rym Ali, will be on the jury alongside European Institute of the Mediterranean executive president Senén Florensa and the International Federation of Journalists’ Gender Council chair, María Ángeles Samperio.
Award focus
The Euro-Mediterranean Women in Journalism Award recognises excellence in journalism that demonstrates gender-sensitive and solutions-oriented reporting. Submissions must address at least one UfM sectoral priority in one or more UfM Member States:
- Gender equality; youth engagement; socioeconomic inclusion of persons with disabilities; higher education; research and innovation
- Environment and green economy; sustainable blue economy; sustainable urban development; sustainable transport
- Climate action; energy resilience; water resilience; disaster risk management
- Employment and labour; trade, investment and industry; digital transformation
- Mobility and root causes of migration
Technical Committee
The Technical Committee is composed of representatives of the UfM Secretariat and the Euro-Mediterranean Network of Women Journalists. Its members sign confidentiality and conflict-of-interest declarations prior to commencing their duties.
Jury
The Jury will be composed of Anna Lindh Foundation’s president, Her Royal Highness princess Rym Ali, European Institute of the Mediterranean executive president Senén Florensa and the International Federation of Journalists’ Gender Council chair, María Ángeles Samperio.
Check your eligibility
The award is open to single-author submissions from women journalists and to collaborative journalistic projects led by a woman journalist from a UfM Member State.
Authorship
For single-author submissions, the applicant must be a woman from one of the UfM’s 43 Member States. For collaborative submissions, the primary credited lead (lead author, lead editor, or equivalent) must be a woman from a UfM Member State, and women must represent at least 50% of credited core contributors.
Publication period
The work must have been first published or broadcast, between 1 July 2025 – 13 September 2026.
Regional relevance
The project must address at least one UfM sectoral cooperation priority in one or more UfM Member States.
Originality
The work must be original and properly attributed. There is a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism and the unlawful use of third-party content. Any entry found to infringe third-party intellectual property rights will be disqualified. If such breaches are identified after the evaluation process, the prize may be withdrawn or revoked.
Multiple entries
Applicants may submit more than one project. Each entry must be submitted as a separate application with all the required supporting documents.
Prize
- Full sponsorship to attend the award ceremony and annual in-person Euro-Mediterranean Network of Women Journalists networking and training sessions in November 2026
- An official diploma and announcement through the UfM’s institutional communications channels
- Access to the Euro-Mediterranean Network of Women Journalists
A project that scores highly for its inclusion of women-led responses and cross-border collaboration may receive a special mention even if its overall score does not place it first.
Assessment criteria by weight
Hover or tap a tile
The larger the rectangle, the more the criterion weighs in scoring.
Timeline
1
6 July 2026
Launch of the Call
2
13 September 2026
Closure of the Call
3
Late September 2026
Technical and Jury Assessment
4
Early October 2026
Notification of Results
5
November 2026
Award Ceremony
Contact us
If you have any doubts or questions don’t hesitate to reach out to us on: emwjaward@ufmsecretariat.org
