European Commission Invites Applications for 2022 Lorenzo Natali Media Prize

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Jutta Urpilainen
DG INTPA Commissioner

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), is inviting applications for the 2022 Lorenzo Natali Media Prize, which honours the courage of journalists whose stories shine a light on the common challenges facing the planet and its people.

The award will reward journalists reporting on themes such as inequality, poverty, climate, education, migration, employment, digital, healthcare, peace, democracy, and human rights.

Jutta Urpilainen, Commissioner for DG-INTPA, said: “The Lorenzo Natali Media Prize celebrates its 30th anniversary. Democratic backsliding that we have witnessed during the pandemic, hybrid threats, disinformation and shrinking space for civil society are all worrying phenomena, which brave journalists tackle. As showcased at the Summit for Democracy in December, the EU is a firm supporter of fundamental freedoms and those who defend them, often with high personal risk. The Lorenzo Natali Media Prize is a symbol of our support to those who give voice to the voiceless and bring truth to light.”

Applications in written, audio and video formats are accepted in one of these three categories: Grand Prize: for reporting published by a media outlet based in one of the European Union’s partner countries; Europe Prize: for reporting published by a media outlet based in the European Union; and Best Emerging Journalist Prize: for reporting by a journalist below the age of 30, published in a media outlet based in the European Union or in one of its partner countries.

To be eligible, entries must have been published (an online version must be accessible) or broadcasted (radio or television with an online version accessible) between March 10, 2021 and March 9, 2022. Submissions are accepted in any language but should be accompanied by a translation in English, French, Spanish, German or Portuguese where any of these is not the original languages of the reporting. For text-based entries, the acceptable length of entries is a maximum of 2,300 words. Video and audio entries can be up to 15 minutes long.

Applications should be made online in one of the five accepted languages (English, French, Spanish, Portuguese or German).

The winner in each category will receive €10,000. The winner of the Best Emerging Journalist category will also be offered a work experience opportunity with a media partner. Categories will not be awarded if quality is not met.

Submission of applications closes on March 31, 2022.

Lorenzo Natali was a Commissioner for Development and a staunch defender of freedom of expression, democracy, human rights and development. He served three terms as one of Italy’s European Commissioners.

Lorenzo played an important role in the EU accession process of Greece, Spain and Portugal. He also helped enact key measures to combat pollution and improve living conditions across Europe. In his final four-year term as Commissioner, from 1985 until 1989, he was handed responsibility for cooperation and development policy in the Commission under President Jacques Delors. It was in this capacity that he set up a broad network of relations with the governments and leaders of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

For further information and to apply, please go to: https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/lnp_en?pk_campaign=EN-LNP-2022&pk_keyword=FB-org.