The Megalizzi – Niedzielski prize for aspiring journalists

The Megalizzi – Niedzielski prize honours the legacy of Antonio Megalizzi and Bartek Orent-Niedzielski, who were killed during the terror attacks in Strasbourg in 2018, by recognising aspiring journalists that show a strong attachment to the EU and its values.

The 2025 winners are:

• The 'Lens Award' was attributed to Italy’s Elisa Ortuso for her impactful video on an EU project in Rome supporting Ukrainian families with children battling cancer.
• France’s Hildegard Leloué received the 'Pen Award' for her insightful European coverage.
• The 'Frame Award,' voted by the public, was awarded to Sarah Costes, also from France, for her striking photo of a project on the protection of storks in Diyarbakir.

The other finalists in the competition for the prize were Emilia Wietecha (Poland), Ioanna Kollia (Greece), Marina Hadjikyriacou (Cyprus), Marushia Monroy Vandersmissen (Spain), Michele Calamaio (Italy), Noé Keutgen (Belgium), Oleksii Pavlusenko (Ukraine), Polina Bargan (Estonia).

By highlighting their work through these awards, the aim is that they all continue sharing Antonio and Bartek’s attachment to the European project and its values and that they will be journalists committed to reporting honestly about the EU and its benefits to regions and people.

The prize is awarded during the EU Regions’ Week to participants selected for the Youth4Regions programme for aspiring journalists.