
The Charlemagne Prize
A symbol of European unity
Since 1950, the Charlemagne Prize has honoured individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to European unity and shared values.
The International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen has been awarded since 1950 to personalities who have made an outstanding contribution to European unity and cooperation. The first award went to Richard Count Coudenhove-Kalergi, founder of the pan-European movement. The prize gained international recognition in its early years, particularly through the honours bestowed on Alcide De Gasperi (1952), Jean Monnet, Konrad Adenauer and Robert Schuman, the political architects of a united Europe.
Over the decades, the prize has become a reflection of the European integration process: from the founding fathers of the EU to the driving forces behind reunification and today's champions of democracy, human rights and sustainable development. Honoured recipients include prominent figures such as Robert Schuman, Jean Monnet, Jacques Delors, Simone Veil, François Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl, Václav Havel, Pope John Paul II, Angela Merkel, Donald Tusk, Emmanuel Macron, António Guterres, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ursula von der Leyen have been honoured.
The Charlemagne Prize addresses current developments and provides important impetus for the future of Europe. In recent years, the award ceremonies have often been marked by major challenges: from the sovereign debt crisis and the crisis of confidence in the EU to debates on migration, security, democracy and the paradigm shift ("Zeitenwende"). Laureates such as Jean-Claude Trichet, Wolfgang Schäuble, Herman Van Rompuy and Martin Schulz have used the platform to formulate forward-looking ideas for Europe's future.
The prize itself does not engage in politics, but brings together citizens, institutions and leaders to support, critically accompany and strengthen the European integration process. Young people in particular should be inspired by the idea of Europe. That is why the European Charlemagne Youth Prize was established in 2008 to recognise initiatives that actively promote and embody the European idea. Since 2019, the Charlemagne Prize Academy has been funding research projects on visionary issues relating to the future of Europe and supporting young academics from all over Europe in the implementation of innovative ideas.
Especially in times of growing uncertainty, the Charlemagne Prize remains a symbol of encouragement. It stands for the conviction that Europe's strength lies in unity, diversity and solidarity. Year after year, the prize winners and their messages send out a strong signal for the creation of a common Europe – a Europe that is growing together not only economically, but also socially, culturally and politically.
Dr. Jürgen Linden
Chairman of the Charlemagne Prize Board of Directors