CEB Award for Social Cohesion 2026: eight projects shortlisted

PARIS - The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has shortlisted eight projects for the CEB Award for Social Cohesion 2026, highlighting inspiring initiatives that strengthen communities and support vulnerable people across Europe.

Launched in 2020, the CEB Award for Social Cohesion recognises outstanding contributions to social cohesion in Europe and provides tangible support to organisations working to address pressing social challenges across the Bank's 43 member countries.

The CEB Award grants a €45 000 prize to one outstanding project, while two additional shortlisted initiatives receive €5 000 in recognition of their impact.

Selected among 177 nominations submitted from 32 member countries, this year's shortlist reflects both the diversity of social challenges facing Europe today and the creativity of those striving to address them.

The shortlisted projects for the 2026 edition are:

SEEC-UW (Sustainable Employment & Entrepreneurship Cycle for Ukrainian Women) - Foundation "Situation Center Open Doors", Bulgaria

This three-phase programme supports displaced Ukrainian women through psychosocial support, digital skills training and access to employment. Each year, more than 500 women gain access to jobs or start a small business, reducing long-term dependency and strengthening economic resilience.

Community-Driven Social Innovation Programme - Jakova Innovation Center , Kosovo

The project supports women, young people and minority groups in Kosovo to design and launch social enterprises that respond to local needs. Through training, mentoring and business development support, it has already helped create six social enterprises, generating jobs and income in local communities.

Personal Assistance for Blind People in North Macedonia - Esi Nelis , North Macedonia

The project supports blind people in North Macedonia who face isolation, limited mobility, and barriers to accessing essential services. The project provides trained assistants who help individuals move safely, visit institutions, complete daily tasks, and participate in education, work, and community life. Blind women, who experience additional marginalisation, receive targeted support.

I want to work - Ateliere Fara Frontiere , Romania
The project supports vulnerable adults facing multiple barriers to employment, combining personalised counselling with paid work experience in circular-economy social enterprises. Each year, around 30 highly vulnerable people access jobs, while more than 800 others receive tailored employment counselling and job-preparation support.

UPre Women - Journey Toward Self-Confidence and Opportunities for Roma Women - Carpathian Foundation Slovakia , Slovak Republic

The project supports Roma women in Eastern Slovakia to gain employment, break out of intergenerational poverty, and reclaim control of their lives, while opening the local job market to Roma women. Through community-based training, individual guidance and targeted job-placement assistance, it engages with families and local employers to reduce barriers to employment and inclusion.

Spilno.HUB - New format of education , Ukraine

The project creates a safe eco-hub for offline learning, psychological recovery, and professional retraining of veterans, IDPs, and women, fostering cohesion and return to Ukraine. Through protected learning spaces, mental-health activities and officially recognised retraining programmes, it helps people return to education and work during wartime.

Children of Heroes - Ukrainian Charity Foundation Children of Heroes , Ukraine

The project provides comprehensive needs-based aid and social services through a digitally coordinated ecosystem to children who have lost one or both parents due to the war in Ukraine. These services include psychological care, education support, healthcare and humanitarian assistance. Active in 23 regions, the project currently benefits over 15 000 children, with plans to reach 20 000 in 2026.

WINGS-Ukraine - NGO Club Eney , Ukraine

This women-led project that strengthens safety, dignity and access to services for women facing violence, poverty, HIV and substance use during the war. Through safety planning, psychosocial support and referrals to health, legal and social services, the project equips women with practical skills to access health and legal services and rebuild autonomy. Active in 16 regions, the project reaches over 1 400 women.

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Following the selection of the winner and two runners-up by an international Jury of experts, the Award ceremony will take place in Warsaw, Poland, on March 16, ahead of the CEB's Joint Meeting.

The ceremony will be livestreamed here.

For more information about the CEB Award for Social Cohesion, please visit award.coebank.org.