Since 2008 the Parliament awards the European Citizen’s Prize every year to projects and initiatives that facilitate cross-border cooperation or promote mutual understanding within the EU.

Each MEP can nominate one person or organisation for the award every year, and national juries of MEPs rank nominees from their country in order of preference. The final decision on laureates is taken by a central jury headed by Vice President Guillaume.

On 14 October the laureates of the 2015 European Citizen’s Prize were honoured for their efforts at a ceremony held in the European Parliament.

A jury headed by EP Vice President Sylvie Guillaume selected the 47 laureates from 26 EU countries in June.

They are the people and organisations making Europe a better place by promoting contribution and mutual understanding.

Guillaume noted that this year’s laureates were involved in “helping the most vulnerable, fighting against discrimination, defending intercultural dialogue, campaigning for more tolerance, involving young people on European projects, acting for freedom of speech”. She thanked them for upholding the “European model based on rights, justice and democracy”.

You can check the full list of 2015 winners here.