5.7 million EU citizens and their family members call the UK their home according to latest statistics released by the Home Office on the EU settlement scheme. Their contributions are pivotal to British society. On 12 November 2024, the third EU Citizens’ Gathering will celebrate these contributions and mark the launch of the first ever EmpowerEU Awards.

Pedro Serrano, EU Ambassador to the UK, highlighted the significance of this initiative: "EU citizens have enriched the UK’s cultural and social fabric. The EmpowerEU Awards celebrate their invaluable contributions and projects that underscore our shared commitment to a stronger EU-UK relations. We warmly congratulate all EmpowerEUawards shortlisted nominees"

The EmpowerEU Awards aim to honour outstanding achievements in supporting EU citizens and strengthening EU-UK relations, EU-UK youth cooperation and community champions who have made a lasting impact at the local level.

The following organisations have been shortlisted to receive the EmpowerEU awards:

 Community Champions:

• Polish and Eastern European Christian Family Centre (PEEC)
• Settled
• Great Yarmouth Refugee Outreach Support (GYROS)

Youth Champion:

• Young European Movement (YEM)
• Youth for Inclusive Europe (Y4IE)
• UK Young Ambassadors Programme

Outstanding Achievement, for exceptional contributions to EU-UK relations

• the3million
• Citizens’ Rights Project
• Scottish Advisory Forum on Europe (SAFE)

The full list of organisations who have taken part in the first ever EmpowerEU Awards is available here. Winners of the EmpowerEU Awards will be announced at the EmpowerEU Awards ceremony which will conclude a full day of discussions at the EU Citizens Gathering on 12 November.

Press enquiries well via [email protected] and press release available here : /media/114358

Follow the event with #EmpowerEUawards and #EUCitizensGathering for updates and insights.