French Republic Human Rights Prize 2026 | €70,000 Grant for Human Rights Projects

<p>Applications are now open for the <strong>2026 French Republic Human Rights Prize “Liberty – Equality – Fraternity”</strong>, an international human rights award established in 1988 to recognise and support individual or collective grassroots initiatives that contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights.</p> <p>The prize, awarded by the Prime Minister of the French Government, is open to <strong>individual applicants and non-governmental organisations regardless of nationality or borders</strong>.</p> <p>For the 2026 edition, applicants are invited to submit projects focused on <strong>protecting the right to asylum and the fundamental rights of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons</strong>.</p> <p>Five winning projects will share a total grant of <strong>€70,000</strong> to support the implementation of their projects. The five winners will also be invited to Paris to attend the official award ceremony and will receive a medal.</p> <p>The application deadline is <strong>4 October 2026 at midnight (GMT+1)</strong>.</p> <h2>About the French Republic Human Rights Prize</h2> <p>The French Republic Human Rights Prize “Liberty – Equality – Fraternity” was established in 1988.</p> <p>The prize is intended to recognise and support grassroots initiatives carried out in France or abroad that contribute to the promotion or protection of human rights.</p> <p>Applications may be submitted by individuals or organisations, and applicants are not required to be French nationals.</p> <p>The award is administered through the <strong>National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH)</strong>.</p> <h2>2026 Prize Theme</h2> <p>The single theme for the 2026 edition is:</p> <p><strong>Protecting the Right to Asylum and the Fundamental Rights of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Displaced Persons</strong></p> <p>Applicants must submit an action or project that addresses this theme and is intended to be implemented in France or another country.</p> <p>The 2026 theme focuses on protecting the right to asylum and ensuring that people affected by forced displacement can effectively access their fundamental rights.</p> <h2>Background to the 2026 Theme</h2> <p>The right to asylum provides protection to people who are unable to rely on the protection of their own country.</p> <p>The right is recognised under international refugee law, including the <strong>1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees</strong> and its <strong>1967 Protocol</strong>.</p> <p>The call for applications also refers to Article 14 of the <strong>Universal Declaration of Human Rights</strong>, which recognises the right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution.</p> <p>The 2026 call highlights the importance of strengthening legal systems that protect the right to asylum and incorporate international human rights and refugee law into domestic legislation.</p> <p>The call also notes the scale of forced displacement around the world.</p> <p>According to figures cited in the call from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there were <strong>117.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide at the end of June 2025</strong>, including recognised refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced people.</p> <h2>Who Can Submit an Application?</h2> <p>Applications can be submitted by:</p> <ul> <li>Individuals</li> <li>Non-governmental organisations</li> <li>Organisations implementing human-rights-based projects</li> <li>Applicants of any nationality</li> </ul> <p>The applicant must have a project or action related to guaranteeing the right to asylum and protecting the fundamental rights of people experiencing forced displacement.</p> <p>Projects may concern refugees covered by the Geneva Convention, asylum seekers whose applications are being examined, or people displaced within their own countries.</p> <h2>What Types of Projects Are Eligible?</h2> <p>The prize is intended for projects based on a human-rights approach that seek to guarantee the right to asylum and fundamental rights.</p> <p>Particular consideration will be given to projects that:</p> <ul> <li>Provide comprehensive support to affected individuals</li> <li>Implement transformative and restorative measures</li> <li>Ensure the active participation of people directly concerned by the project</li> </ul> <p>The projects should focus on rights protection, advocacy, legal support or related activities rather than direct material assistance.</p> <h2>Examples of Eligible Projects</h2> <p>The 2026 call identifies several types of projects that may be considered.</p> <h3>Public Awareness and Advocacy</h3> <p>Projects may raise public awareness about asylum and refugee rights or undertake advocacy directed at public authorities.</p> <p>Such initiatives could seek to improve understanding of legal protections and promote policies or practices that protect the rights of displaced people.</p> <h3>Legal and Administrative Assistance</h3> <p>Projects may provide legal and administrative assistance to refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons.</p> <p>This may include helping people effectively access rights such as:</p> <ul> <li>Residence rights</li> <li>Fair procedures</li> <li>Access to justice</li> <li>Civil and political rights</li> <li>Economic rights</li> <li>Social rights</li> <li>Cultural rights</li> </ul> <p>Projects should be connected to rights guaranteed under applicable international instruments.</p> <h3>Training for Stakeholders</h3> <p>Eligible initiatives may provide training to stakeholders involved in asylum and displacement matters.</p> <p>Potential participants may include:</p> <ul> <li>Border police</li> <li>Government administrations</li> <li>Health services</li> <li>Social services</li> <li>Other professionals involved in asylum procedures</li> </ul> <p>The objective can be to strengthen understanding and implementation of human rights obligations.</p> <h3>Integration, Resettlement and Restoration of Rights</h3> <p>Projects may support the effective exercise of rights associated with integration into host societies.</p> <p>They may also address resettlement or the restoration of rights for internally displaced people.</p> <h2>Prize and Financial Award</h2> <p>Five projects will be selected as winners.</p> <p>The five winners will share a total grant of:</p> <p><strong>€70,000</strong></p> <p>The grant is allocated by the <strong>National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH)</strong> for implementation of the winning projects.</p> <p>The five winners will also receive a medal and may refer to themselves as laureates of the <strong>2026 French Republic Human Rights Prize</strong>.</p> <h2>Special Mentions</h2> <p>In addition to the five winners, the next five highest-ranked candidates will receive a <strong>Special Mention medal</strong>.</p> <p>The Special Mention is awarded by the Ambassador of France in the recipient&#8217;s country of origin.</p> <p>Special Mention recipients do <strong>not</strong> receive a financial award.</p> <p>Prize winners and Special Mention recipients may also benefit from international protection afforded by French diplomacy.</p> <h2>Award Ceremony</h2> <p>The five prize winners will be invited to <strong>Paris, France</strong>, to attend the official award ceremony.</p> <p>The 2026 Prize is expected to be formally awarded around <strong>10 December 2026</strong>, which is International Human Rights Day.</p> <p>The award will be presented by the Prime Minister or another Minister of the French Republic.</p> <h2>Application Requirements</h2> <p>Applicants must submit a complete application file.</p> <p>The application must include the following:</p> <h3>1. Letter of Application</h3> <p>Applicants must provide a signed letter of application.</p> <p>For an NGO, the letter must be submitted and signed by the organisation&#8217;s President or legal representative.</p> <p>Individual applicants must submit and sign their own application letter.</p> <h3>2. Completed Application Form</h3> <p>Applicants must complete the official application form provided with the call for applications.</p> <p>The form provides detailed information about the activities carried out by the applicant or organisation.</p> <p>The application form is available through the CNCDH website.</p> <h3>3. Postal and Banking Details</h3> <p>Applicants must provide their postal and banking information.</p> <p>This includes the relevant <strong>RIB/IBAN</strong> details of the NGO or individual applicant.</p> <h2>Language of the Application</h2> <p>The application file should be drafted in <strong>French</strong>.</p> <p>However, the call states that applications submitted in <strong>English or Spanish may be considered at the discretion of the jury</strong>.</p> <p>Applicants who can submit their application in French should follow the stated language requirement.</p> <h2>Application Deadline</h2> <p>The complete application must be submitted no later than:</p> <p><strong>4 October 2026 at midnight (GMT+1)</strong></p> <p>Applications received after the deadline may not be considered.</p> <p>Applicants should therefore allow sufficient time to complete the application form, prepare supporting information and submit the complete application file.</p> <h2>How to Apply</h2> <p>Applicants should:</p> <ol> <li>Review the<a href="https://cm.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/2026-french-republic-human-rights-prize-call-applications" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 2026 French Republic Human Rights Prize</a> theme.</li> <li>Confirm that their project addresses the protection of asylum rights and the fundamental rights of refugees, asylum seekers or displaced persons.</li> <li>Review the official Prize Rules.</li> <li>Download and complete the official application form.</li> <li>Prepare the required signed application letter.</li> <li>Prepare the applicant&#8217;s postal and banking details, including RIB/IBAN.</li> <li>Prepare the application in French, where possible.</li> <li>Submit the complete application before the deadline.</li> </ol> <p>Applications can be submitted by post or email.</p> <h3>Postal Submission</h3> <p><strong>CNCDH – For the attention of Mrs. Cécile RIOU-BATISTA</strong><br /> 20 avenue de Ségur<br /> 75007 Paris<br /> France</p> <h3>Email Submission</h3> <p><strong><a href="mailto:prixdesdroitsdelhomme@cncdh.fr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prixdesdroitsdelhomme@cncdh.fr</a></strong></p> <h2>Important Application Information</h2> <p>Applicants should carefully review the <a href="https://cm.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/2026-french-republic-human-rights-prize-call-applications" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official Prize Rules</a> before submitting their applications.</p> <p>The official rules and application information are available through the CNCDH website.</p> <p>Applicants should also ensure that their proposed project is clearly connected to the 2026 theme and focuses on human rights protection rather than direct material assistance.</p> <h2>Conclusion</h2> <p>The <strong><a href="https://cm.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/2026-french-republic-human-rights-prize-call-applications" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2026 French Republic Human Rights Prize</a> “Liberty – Equality – Fraternity”</strong> provides an opportunity for individuals and NGOs to gain recognition and financial support for projects protecting the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons.</p> <p>The 2026 edition focuses specifically on <strong>protecting the right to asylum and the fundamental rights of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons</strong>.</p> <p>Five selected winners will share <strong>€70,000</strong> for the implementation of their projects and will be invited to Paris for the official award ceremony. Five additional candidates will receive Special Mention medals without a financial award.</p> <p>Eligible applicants should prepare their project information, application letter, official application form and required banking and postal details before submitting their complete application.</p> <p>The application deadline is <strong>4 October 2026 at midnight (GMT+1)</strong>.</p> <p>Discover more opportunities on the <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=grants" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OFY Webpage</a>.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/09/20/french-republic-human-rights-prize-2026-e70000-grant-for-human-rights-projects/">French Republic Human Rights Prize 2026 | €70,000 Grant for Human Rights Projects</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org">Opportunities for Youth</a>.</p>