“The foundation of a democracy is, above all, truth”
Simon Wiesenthal
Nominations for the Simon Wiesenthal Prize 2025
The following entries have been nominated by the jury for the Main Prize for Civic Engagement to Combat Antisemitism and Educate the Public about the Holocaust (listed in alphabetical order):
- ELNET (Germany)
- ICHTHYS GEMEINDE WIENER NEUSTADT (Austria)
- MARTHA KEIL (Austria)
- MEET A JEW (Germany)
The following entries have been nominated by the jury for the Prize for Civic Engagement to Combat Antisemitism (listed in alphabetical order):
- CENTRUM FÜR ANTISEMITISMUS- UND RASSISMUSSTUDIEN (Germany)
- COFFEE WITH A JEW (Germany)
- KREUZBERGER INITIATIVE GEGEN ANTISEMITISMUS (Germany)
The following applications have been nominated by the jury for the Prize for Civic Engagement to Educate the Public about the Holocaust (listed in alphabetical order):
- JOHANNES CZWALINA (Switzerland)
- MEMENTO WIEN (DÖW) (Austria)
- TIKTOK SHOAH COMMEMORATION & EDUCATION INITIATIVE (Germany)
The jury was particularly keen to pay tribute to the contemporary witnesses nominated for the award. By talking about their experiences, these survivors provide the most compelling and valuable testimonies of all in the efforts to come to terms with the Holocaust and take a stand against antisemitism. Their work and dedication should and must be an example to us all.
The following contemporary witnesses will receive special recognition and be honoured at the event:
- HEDI ARGENT (United Kingdom)
- HEINZ RUDOLF ADOLPH BÖHME (Austria)
- GRETA FISCHMAN ELBOGEN (USA)
- EVA ERBEN (Israel)
- GERTRAUD FLETZBERGER (Austria)
- ERIKA FREEMAN (USA)
- ELISABETH GANGLBERGER (Austria)
- DAVID GUR (Israel)
- ROMAN HALLER (Germany)
- BENNO KERN (Austria)
- ERIKA KOSNAR (Austria)
- THOMAS LACHS (Austria)
- SIEGFRIED LOEWE (Austria)
- EVELINE ELISABETH MÄRZ (Austria)
- HARRY MERL (Austria)
- THEODOR MUCH (Austria)
- ELISABETH SCHIPEK (Austria)
- REGINA SLUSZNY (Belgiun)
- KATJA STURM-SCHNABL (Austria)
- JOSEF SZNAJER (Belgium)
The Board of Trustees of the National Fund chose the winners of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize from the jury shortlist on 1 July 2026. One winner will be announced in each of the three categories.
The winners will be announced in a ceremony held in Parliament on 12 November 2026.
Presentation of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize 2025
Time:
Thursday, 12 November 2026, 5 p.m.
Place:
Parliament, National Council Chamber
Content
This year marks the fifth time that the Simon Wiesenthal Prize will be awarded, and once again, countless grassroots initiatives have entered their projects. Endowed with prize money of 30,000 euros, the award is named after the architect, writer and journalist Simon Wiesenthal (1908-2005) and is conferred in recognition of outstanding civic engagement to combat antisemitism and educate the public about the Holocaust. Around 270 entries were submitted to the National Fund of the Republic of Austria from over 30 countries around the world. These projects add powerful momentum to international efforts to combat antisemitism whilst also raising historical awareness. As in previous years, part of the ceremony will be devoted to honouring contemporary witnesses, whose personal testimonies are invaluable for passing on and preserving the memory of the Holocaust.
Programme
Opening remarks
Peter Haubner
Second President of the National Council & Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism
Personal remarks
Racheli Kreisberg
Granddaughter of Simon Wiesenthal & Founder of the SWIGGI commemoration initiative
Presentation of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize 2025
Presentation of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize 2025 in the categories:
- Educating the public about the Holocaust
- Combating antisemitism
- Main Prize
The nominees for the Simon Wiesenthal Prize 2025 are published on the Simon Wiesenthal Prize website.
Address: “Five years of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize: More than just an award. A mission.”
Katharina von Schnurbein
Chair of the jury, Federal Government Commissioner for Jewish Life and the Fight against Antisemitism in Germany
Special tribute to the contemporary witnesses
Peter Haubner
Second President of the National Council & Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism
Hannah Lessing
Managing Director of the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism
Judith Pfeffer
Managing Director of the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism
The nominees and contemporary witnesses honoured under the aegis of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize 2025 are listed on the website of the Wiesenthal Prize.
Remarks on behalf of the contemporary witnesses
David Gur
Contemporary witness
Reception
Presenter
Lisa Gadenstätter
Journalist, ORF
Music
Patricia Ruesch, vocals
Benedikt Ludwiczek, keyboard
Livestream
The event will be broadcast live on Thursday, 12 November 2026 from 5 pm on the media library.
The submission period for the Simon Wiesenthal Prize 2026 starts on 13 November 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prospective prizewinners have made an outstanding contribution – through projects, initiatives or in other meaningful ways – towards combating antisemitism and/or educating the public about the Holocaust by
- actively fostering, consolidating and imparting knowledge and awareness about the Holocaust;
- raising awareness in society about the dangers of antisemitism in the present;
- increasing understanding of the mechanisms and consequences of antisemitism and thereby strengthening democratic culture in everyday life;
- acting as a beacon of civil courage, thereby highlighting the value and importance of the involvement of each and every individual;
- advocating for measures to counteract antisemitism and all forms of Holocaust relativisation;
- fostering understanding and sensitivity in areas where a critical attitude towards antisemitism should be particularly encouraged;
- contributing to the development of a common awareness in the fight against antisemitism
- or otherwise contributing towards a culture of remembrance that is innovative, sustainable and dedicated to educating people.
Special consideration will be given to projects, initiatives and achievements that create fresh impetus and place new accents, that set an example for others and appear capable of having a lasting impact on the present and the future.
Yes. Candidates may submit an entry in their own right or be nominated by a third party.
Yes. Also eligible to submit an entry are, for example, civil society organisations such as clubs, associations, foundations, non-profit limited liability companies; interest groups, regional affiliations such as local clubs and associations, i.e. organisations emerging from the middle and grassroots of society; human rights organisations; non-governmental organisations; welfare institutions, cultural organisations, educational and training institutions; youth organisations, family associations, students and student groups, apprentices and apprentice groups, as well as youth and schoolchildren groups.
Yes. Individuals or groups from civil society in Austria or abroad can submit an entry or be nominated for the Simon Wiesenthal Prize, regardless of their nationality.
The Board of Trustees will choose the prizewinners on the basis of the shortlist drawn up by the Simon Wiesenthal Prize Jury.
Candidates will be assessed by the Simon Wiesenthal Prize Jury on the merits of their entries and in accordance with the Rules of Procedure issued by the Board of Trustees.
The Simon Wiesenthal Prize Jury will assess the candidates on the sole basis of the information contained in the submitted documents and submit a shortlist of potential prizewinners to the Board of Trustees within four weeks, providing reasons for its shortlisted entries in writing. The jury may shortlist up to five candidates and rank them in assessed order of merit.
The Simon Wiesenthal Prize is endowed with an annual sum of 30,000 euros. It is awarded in two categories:
- Civic engagement to combat antisemitism (7,500 €)
- Civic engagement to promote Holocaust education (7,500 €)
In addition, a main prize endowed with 15,000 € will be awarded for outstanding civic engagement to combat antisemitism and/or promote Holocaust education.
Entries must be submitted online using the form available on the Simon Wiesenthal Prize website. Attachments must be uploaded electronically.
The entry should state why the candidate(s) would be (a) worthy recipient(s) of the prize and demonstrate the candidate’s achievements in the areas set out in the Prize Announcement.
On the entry form the candidate must provide all information required by the National Fund to
- ensure that the candidate meets the formal entry requirements
- examine whether the activities subject of the entry comply with the objectives of the prize