The Freedom Prize is an educational initiative which aims to raise awareness of freedom, peace and Human rights, inspired by the values of the D-Day landings of 6 June 1944 in Normandy.
The Freedom Prize invites young people aged 15 to 25 from France and around the world to choose an inspiring person or organisation, committed to an exemplary fight for freedom.
What makes this prize so special is that it involves young people at each of its stages: from the proposals submitted to the international panel of judges to the final selection of the winner.
Organised by the Normandy Region, implemented with the International Institute of Human Rights and Peace, in partnership with the academic authorities of Normandy and the Canopé network, the Freedom Prize pays tribute to all those who have fought and continue to fight for this ideal.
Take part in the three stages of the Freedom Prize!
The call for proposals
Until January 12th, 2026
Young people aged 15-25 are invited to present the person or organisation whose fight for freedom they wish to make known.
The deliberations of the international panel of judges
February 10th to 14th 2026
An international panel of judges made up of 24 young people aged 15 to 25 meets in Normandy to consider the applications for “Our Freedom Prize 2026”, choosing three people or organizations as nominees for the online vote
The online vote
From March to April 2026
Online voting invites 15-25 year olds from all over the world to nominate the laureate of the 2026 Freedom Prize from among the three people or organizations chosen by the international jury.
Teachers, trainers, associations: how to take part
As a scheme for education in freedom, peace and Human rights, the Freedom Prize also aims to fuel your educational projects while promoting multidisciplinary work.
Designed to adapt to the availability and wishes of any teacher or trainer, the Freedom Prize is flexible and simple to understand.
By questioning freedoms and commitment in today's world, the Freedom Prize encourages people to express themselves concerning the struggles to be defended through the women, men and organizations that are involved in them. By helping them to identify and understand current issues, it is part of young people's development as citizens.
The call for proposals “Our Freedom Prize 2026”
Central to the scheme, it allows people to collectively question the notions of freedom and the fight for freedom while promoting personal and well-argued commitment.
The International Institute for Human Rights and Peace offers support during this stage with an awareness session in person or in remote.
-> Objective: to support the reflection of young people on freedom and commitment, but also to understand the drafting of the call for proposals form "Our Freedom Prize 2026".
If your institution is twinned with an institution abroad, this stage can be particularly rewarding as it requires cross-referencing the views of different cultures on freedom and commitment.
The online voting
The voting period offers the opportunity to debate issues of citizenship and democracy, while allowing people to examine, through the example of the three finalists, the different contexts and struggles for freedom in the world.
The International Institute for Human Rights and Peace offers support during this stage with an awareness session in person or in remote.
-> Objective: to make young people aware of citizenship and to vote for the Freedom Prize based on the study of the portraits of the three nominees and their fights for freedom.
Throughout the year, the International Institute for Human Rights and Peace is available to help you set up educational activities during these two highlights.
Contact: prixliberte@normandie.fr
The independent voting
The International Institute for Human Rights and Peace is implementing a new independent voting system to enable more young people to participate in the vote for the 2026 Freedom Prize. With independent voting, you have access to a turnkey educational program, including fun and participatory activities tailored to your school curriculum. At the end of a session that you organize independently in your classes, your students will be able to vote for one of the three nominees for the 2026 Freedom Prize.
Independent voting is not intended for classes registered for one of the Freedom Prize voting events.
What is independent voting?
Two formats to choose from: a 1 hour 40 minute course or a condensed 50 minute version;
- Educational and participatory activities tailored to your school curriculum;
- An in-depth presentation of the three nominees and their causes;
- A thorough exploration of key themes: freedom of expression, participatory democracy, citizenship, rights and freedoms;
- A physical vote in class: a detailed voting kit (ballots, instructions).
How to Participate?
Would you like to organize an independent voting session with your students?
Download the educational resources and voting kit by following this link: https://2idhp.eu/nos_ressources/prix-liberte-2025-le-vote-en-autonomie/
Once the voting is completed, please fill out this form: Independent Voting Form - "Our Freedom Prize 2025"
Educational resources: www.prixliberte.normandie.fr
Previous editions of the Freedom Prize
2025 - Gisèle Pélicot
Gisèle Pélicot embodies the values of courage, determination, and resilience. She fights for many causes: she combats the trivialization of rape and sexual violence, and campaigns to shift the blame, so that victims can speak out without fear. Thanks to her efforts, many women have found the strength to denounce the violence they suffer and claim their rights.
2024 - Motaz Azaiza
Motaz Azaïza is a young Palestinian journalist covering the conflict in the heart of Gaza. His fight for the right to information helps to disseminate news about the conflict and highlight the fates of the populations affected by this war.
2023 - Young Girls Leaders Club of Guinea
Founded in 2016, this association, chaired by Hadja Idrissa Bah, advocates for the rights of women and children in the Republic of Guinea, primarily fighting against forced marriages, sexual violence, and genital mutilation.
2022 - Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network
The online vote elected Child's Right and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN) as winner of the 2022 Freedom Prize.
2021 - Sonita Alizada
The 2021 Freedom Prize was awarded Thursday 30 September, 2021 to Sonita Alizada, an Afghan rapper committed against forced child marriage. Now a refugee in the United States where she studies human rights, Sonita Alizada received her trophy at home. Despite the distance, she wanted to send a particularly moving message to the young people who named her the laureate of the Freedom Prize.
To know more about the 2021 Freedom Prize
2020 - Loujain Al-Hathloul
The 2020 Freedom Prize was awarded Friday, October 2, 2020 during the World Normandy Peace Forum, to Loujain Al-Hathloul, Saudi activist for women's rights. The young woman being imprisoned since 2018 in Saudi Arabia, it is these sisters, Lina and Alia Al-Hathloul, who were present to receive the prize. A ceremony rich in emotions to conclude a second edition of the Freedom Prize which once again mobilized young people from around the world at each of its stages.
To know more about the 2020 Freedom Prize