MEP Awards 2026 View the shortlist

Shortlist 2026

Please find below the list of those individuals shortlisted for the 12 MEP Awards 2026.

Culture and Creative Industries Award

Recognising the champion of Europe’s cultural vitality, creative talent, and artistic innovation.

Maria Guzenina MEP (S&D, Finland)

Nela Riehl MEP (Greens/EFA, Germany)

Sabine Verheyen MEP (EPP, Germany)

Democracy and European Values Award

Honouring the defender of democracy, freedom, equality and the rule of law at the heart of the European project.

Abir Al-Sahlani MEP (Renew, Sweden)

Loucas Fourlas MEP (EPP, Cyprus)

Hannah Neumann MEP (Greens/EFA, Germany)

Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP (Renew, Ireland)

Lucia Yar MEP (Renew, Slovakia)

Digital Champion and Innovation Award

Honouring the visionary shaping Europe’s digital transformation and innovation leadership.

Alexandra Geese MEP (Greens/EFA, Germany)

Michał Kobosko MEP (Renew, Poland)

Alex Saliba MEP (S&D, Malta)

Axel Voss MEP (EPP, Germany)

European Defence and Security Award

Rewarding leadership that strengthens Europe’s security, resilience, and global role in the world.

Lucia Annunziata MEP (S&D, Italy)

Christophe Gomart MEP (EPP, France)

Mārtiņš Staķis MEP (Greens/EFA, Latvia)

Michał Szczerba (EPP, Poland) 

Excellence in EU Governance and Collaboration Award

Recognising outstanding institutional collaboration and leadership that make the EU work better for its citizens.

Victor Negrescu MEP (S&D, Romania)

Sabine Verheyen MEP (EPP, Germany)

Sophie Wilmes MEP (Renew, Belgium)

Green Transition, Environment and Sustainability Award

Recognising bold action to build a cleaner and prosperous Europe.

Nicolás González Casares MEP (S&D, Spain)

Lídia Pereira MEP (EPP, Portugal)

Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP (EPP, Finland)

Bruno Tobback MEP (S&D, Belgium)

One Health Award

Celebrating commitment to improving public health, animal welfare, access to care, and the resilience of Europe’s One Health systems.

Vytenis Andriukaitis MEP (S&D, Lithuania)

Christophe Clergeau MEP (S&D, France) 

Romana Jerković MEP (S&D, Croatia)

Tilly Metz MEP (Greens/EFA, Luxembourg)

Nikos Papandreou MEP (S&D, Greece)

Tomislav Sokol MEP (EPP, Croatia)

Single Market and Industrial Competitiveness Award

Celebrating the MEP driving Europe’s economic strength and industrial edge through a stronger Single Market.

Christian Ehler MEP (EPP, Germany)

Susana Solís Pérez MEP (EPP, Spain)

Dimitrios Tsiodras MEP (EPP, Greece)

Stephanie Yon Courtin MEP (Renew, France)

Sustainable Tourism Award

Rewarding the MEP promoting responsible, inclusive, and future-ready tourism across Europe.

Daniel Attard MEP (S&D, Malta)

Nikolina Brnjac MEP (EPP, Croatia)

Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi MEP (EPP, Greece)

Trade and International Partnerships Award

Celebrating efforts to strengthen Europe’s global influence through fair, forward-looking partnerships.

Brando Benifei MEP (S&D, Italy)

Bernd Lange MEP (S&D, Germany)

Gabriel Mato MEP (EPP, Spain)

Kathleen Van Brempt MEP (S&D, Belgium)

APA of the Year Award

Category Partner

Honouring the assistant whose dedication and excellence make parliamentary work thrive. 

Sophia Bengetsson

Office of MEP Abir Al-Sahlani & MEP Emma Wiesner (Renew, Sweden)

Flora Monozlai

Office of MEP Dóra Dávid (EPP, Hungary)

Ricarda Agnes Pfingstl

Office of MEP Thomas Waitz (Greens/EFA, Austria)

Staffer of the Year

Category Partner

Celebrating the driving force behind the scenes delivering impact, efficiency, and results.

 

Carmela Scirè

Policy Advisor (ECR)

Andrea Lovei

Head of Unit, European Parliament Liaison Office in Hungary

Guillaume Rey

Head of Unit, Secretariat of the Committee on Budgets

Customers reviews

An award like this means I will work even harder. It’s a recognition of what I have been doing and that makes me want to do even more in the future.
Christel Schaldemose MEP
Winner of the Consumer Rights Award 2022
This award gives me more power to continue my work. It gives me strength. I know we’re on the right way, fighting for Europe, fighting to give Europe more power in the world.
Hilde Vautmans
Winner of the Economic, Monetary Affairs, Tax and Budgets Award 2022