AEPJ Selected to Co-Design and Deliver the Simone Veil Prize under Creative Europe
The European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage (AEPJ) is proud to announce its selection as part of the consortium entrusted by the European Commission to design and deliver the Simone Veil Prize, a new annual European cultural award to be implemented under the Creative Europe programme.
Chosen following an open European call, the consortium brings together GOPA Com, GOPA Pace, and AEPJ. Between 2026 and 2028, the consortium will be responsible for up to three annual cycles of the prize, overseeing its conception, governance and implementation across Europe.
The creation of the Simone Veil Prize was officially announced on 17 December during the Euro-Chanukah celebration by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. The first edition of the prize is set to take place in 2026, marking a significant new chapter in Europe’s cultural policy landscape.
Cultural Heritage as a Force for Cohesion
Named in honour of Simone Veil—Holocaust survivor, first female President of the European Parliament and tireless champion of human rights—, the prize will spotlight outstanding initiatives that demonstrate how cultural heritage can act as a catalyst for civic engagement, social cohesion and remembrance.
With a particular emphasis on the contribution of Jewish cultural heritage to Europe’s identity, the prize will recognise projects that transform heritage and places of memory into living spaces for participation, education and reflection.
Eligible initiatives will span a wide range of formats, from festivals and community-based projects to educational tools, digital archives and innovative cultural practices that engage citizens of all generations.
The first call for nominations is planned for 2026, inviting organisations and initiatives from across Europe to showcase how culture, memory and heritage can reinforce solidarity and shared democratic values.
AEPJ’s Role and Commitment
For AEPJ, being entrusted with this responsibility is both an honour and a strong affirmation of its long-standing mission: to preserve, promote and activate Jewish heritage throughout Europe while fostering dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding across cultures and borders.
Working alongside GOPA Com and GOPA Pace, AEPJ will contribute its extensive expertise, networks and experience in European heritage initiatives to ensure that the Simone Veil Prize becomes a meaningful benchmark award worthy of its name.
Complementing Europe’s Heritage Landscape
Organised under Creative Europe, the Simone Veil Prize will complement existing EU heritage initiatives such as the European Heritage Label, the European Heritage Days, and the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards, while offering a unique focus on the importance of Jewish heritage as an essential part of Europe’s cultural DNA.
As preparations begin for the first edition, AEPJ looks forward to helping shape a prize that honours Simone Veil’s legacy and affirms the power of cultural heritage as a living force for shaping a more inclusive society.
