The applications for the  UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2020 have opened.

UNESCO invites the governments of Member States, in consultation with their National Commissions, as well as international and regional professional non-governmental organizations, active in the field of press freedom, to nominate candidates for this year’s UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

Awarded annually, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day (3 May), the Prize is marked by a ceremony and the winner is presented with the sum of US$25,000. In 2020, the Prize is scheduled to be awarded on 23 April.

Furthermore, the Prize is funded by the Cano Foundation (Colombia), the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation (Finland) and the Namibia Media Trust.

Benefits

The successful candidates will receive the following advantages

• They will receive the prize entitled “UNESCO/Guillermo Cano world press freedom prize”.
• Similarly, the voluntary contributions from States, International agencies and organizations will fund the prize. Furthermore, the value of the Prize will be of a minimum of 25,000 USD and the Director-General will determine it.
• In addition to that, the Cano Foundation and other donors will fully cover the staff support and operating/management costs of the prize, including all costs relating to the award ceremony and public information activities.

Eligibilities

The applicants must meet the following requirements to participate in the competition

• Candidates should have made a significant contribution to press freedom anywhere in the world representing all types of media including digital media.
• In addition to that, the organizers may confer the prizes upon individuals, institutions, other entities or non-governmental organizations.

World Press Freedom Day 2020 will take place in The Hague (Netherlands) from 22 to 24 April 2020.

Application Procedure

The participants must submit the forms of nominations for the Prize by filling out the form in English or French and sending it before 15 February 2020 by post or by email to:

UNESCO
Communication and Information Sector
Division of Freedom of Expression and Media Development
Section for Freedom of Expression
7, Place de Fontenoy
75007 Paris
France

For further details, visit the official site.