Commission announces winners of Megalizzi – Niedzielski prize 2021 for aspiring journalists and launches a new call for proposals
The Commission has announced the winners of the 2021 Megalizzi – Niedzielski prize for aspiring journalists: Irene Barahona Fernández from Spain and Jack Ryan from Ireland. Irene and Jack received the prize for their promising work, dedication to quality journalism and attachment to EU values. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “We are glad to see that European young journalists are full of energy and show interest in the EU. Once again, during the Covid crisis, we have seen the importance of accurate and informative media. A free press, like all the institutions of democracy, must not be taken for granted; we must water the plant of democracy if we want it to continue to benefit from its fruit. It is important to think of the future of journalism, and to support and nurture young journalists. That is why we have launched another round of support for media.” During the awards ceremony, the Commission has launched the 5th call for proposals supporting information measures relating to EU Cohesion policy, with an overall budget of €7 million. Media, as well as universities, communication agencies and other private entities and public bodies are invited to submit their proposals for editorially independent reporting on Cohesion policy. The Commission will cover 80% of the cost of the projects, with grants up to €300,000 for selected beneficiaries. The deadline for application is 11 January 2022. The Megalizzi – Niedzielski prize for aspiring journalists was launched in 2019 and honours the memory of Antonio Megalizzi and Bartek Pedro Orent-Niedzielski, young European journalists with strong attachment to the EU and its values, who lost their lives after a terrorist attack in Strasbourg in late 2018. Examples of communication actions of previous beneficiaries can be found on this interactive map.
