Cohesion policy

The Emperor Maximilian Prize celebrates outstanding achievements from all sectors in the field of European cohesion. This year’s edition focuses on youth, beacon projects that inspire young people to shape their own future. Candidates for the 2023 edition are invited to submit their application by 20 April.

The Emperor Maximilian Prize is open to citizens from the 27 member countries of the EU and/or the 46 member countries of the Council of Europe. Their initiatives should contribute to strengthening European cohesion and implement local best practices that are transferable to other communities. Candidates are invited to submit their project by 20 April 2023 on the online platform.

The jury is composed of representatives from five institutions, among which the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR). Fabrizio Rossi, the Secretary General of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions commented: “We are honoured to have been a part of this event since 1999 as it is both a celebration and a reinforcement of endeavours towards a deeper European integration”.

During the month of May, the jury will convene to assess the submitted projects and initiatives, on the basis of various criteria, including sustainability, creativity and visibility.

The winning project will receive the Emperor Maximilian Prize during a prestigious ceremony taking place in the city of Innsbruck in November. Winners will be awarded a cash prize worth €10,000 as a financial contribution to their exceptional initiative, a certificate, and a medallion of Emperor Maximilian I from 1509.
For more information on eligibility and selection criteria, consult the official “Guide for Applicants”.
 
About the Prize

The Emperor Maximilian Prize is a biannual European award. It was created in 1997 by the City of Innsbruck and the Region of the Tyrol in honour of the long-time mayor of Innsbruck, Alois Lugger. The prize aims to reward regional and local initiatives that embody the European unification process as outstanding examples of solidarity and sustainable efforts.

In 2021, the "#EuropagegenCovid19 / #EUmythbusters" project, which fought against disinformation about Covid with humorous and educational online content, was awarded for its contribution to European integration.