The Council of Europe’s Division on Migration and Refugees (DMR) plays an active part in the selection process for the prestigious UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award by  contributing its expertise in human rights and refugee protection to help identify outstanding individuals and organisations making a significant impact in supporting forcibly displaced persons.

Each year, the Nansen Refugee Award honours a global laureate and several regional winners for their exceptional dedication to assisting refugees. By highlighting inspiring initiatives, the award fosters greater awareness and support for refugee protection across the globe. The winners’ inspiring stories are also an opportunity to bring a message of hope, and to highlight the transformative power of humanitarian action and strengthen support.

The partnership between the Council of Europe and UNHCR in this selection process strengthens international collaboration on refugee issues and encourages continued action to support and protect refugees worldwide. This cooperation underscores the shared commitment of both institutions to upholding the human dignity and rights of refugees and promoting durable solutions for their protection.

The procedure for submitting nominations for the 2025 Nansen Refugee Award is open to everyone and closes on 7 April.