The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in partnership with the Government of Iceland, has issued a call for nominations for the 2026 Vigdís prize for women's empowerment. The deadline for submitting nominations for this third edition of the prize is 27 March 2026.
Launched in 2023 and named after Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, the first woman in the world to be elected as a head of state, this annual prize consists of a sum of 60,000 euros and a trophy. It rewards outstanding individuals, organisations or initiatives that have demonstrated significant commitment to empowering women and girls in all their diversity.
A difficult time for gender equality
At a time when women's rights and gender equality face increasing challenges across Europe and beyond, the prize recognises achievements in advancing gender equality, promoting equal participation in decision-making, and fostering inclusive policies and practices that contribute to women's full and equal participation in political, social, and economic life.
Individuals, civil society groups, associations or private companies may be nominated for the prize. Nominations should be submitted in English or French, using the form available on the prize web page, and must be supported by the signatures of at least five sponsors.
The 2026 Vigdís prize will be awarded at an official ceremony in Strasbourg on 22 June 2026, during the summer part-session of the Parliamentary Assembly.
The first edition of the Vigdís prize was awarded in 2024 to the Irida women's center (Greece), a grassroots NGO supporting women experiencing poverty, social exclusion and gender-based violence. In 2025, the prize was awarded to Women of the sun (Palestine), in recognition of their work for women's rights and peacebuilding.
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
