Youth Innovation in Drug and Addiction Prevention

The Pompidou Group believes that meaningful youth participation improves the chances of successful drug and addiction prevention for reducing drug-related harm and creating healthier citizens and communities across Europe. Since its launch in 2004, the Pompidou Group Prevention Prize has been awarded to innovative projects led by young people for young people. The Prize seeks to recognise outstanding drug and addiction prevention projects that involve young people in the development, implementation and decision-making processes.

The Pompidou Group Prevention Prize 2025 was awarded during the 19th Pompidou Group Ministerial Conference on 27 November 2025. 

This year's winners are: 

• Sistema Cyprus
• Gabinete de Apoio Psicossocial
• Crisscross 

 Watch the video of the winners selection by the jury

 The application process

To be considered for the Prize, projects must be innovative, focused on quality drug and addiction prevention and fully involve young people (aged under 25). They should be currently running or recently finished.

Projects from all 41 Pompidou Group member states and 46 Council of Europe member states, as well as members of the Group's Mediterranean network for co-operation on drugs and addictions (MedNET), are eligible for submission.

The application procedure:

• Download the electronic application form.
• Fill in the application form in English or French, the official languages of the Council of Europe.
• Before 15 June 2025, send the application form and the additional documents (described in your application form) by e-mail to: [email protected].

Details of the application process, including eligibility and award criteria, can be found in the Concept, rules and procedures document. For any questions, please consult the FAQ section or contact the secretariat: [email protected].

  The Jury

Following a widely publicised call for applications, entries are evaluated by a jury of seven young people aged between 18 and 25 from Pompidou Group member states. The jurors are selected by the Pompidou Group based on their experience of youth participation in drug and addiction prevention. They set the rules and procedures for the Prize and sift through the submitted projects, selecting the ones which, in their view, have been most successful at involving young people in quality prevention.

 The Award

Every year, up to three projects are presented with the Prize at the award ceremony. Each prize-winner receives a trophy, a diploma and a monetary award. Previous winners say that the Prize has brought greater recognition for their work and has been invaluable in helping them to secure funding.