taz Panther Prize

The taz Panter Prize is a nationwide award presented by the taz Panter Foundation, which has annually recognized civil society engagement since 2005. In 2026, the prize will be awarded under the motto "Independent, Critical, Resilient: Media from Below" and is aimed at independently organized media projects that creatively promote social participation and expose grievances. Two awards of €5,000 each will be granted: a readers' prize and a jury prize, with the jury composed of taz editors, former laureates, and other experts. The goal is to honor and financially support individuals and collectives who advocate for independent, critical journalism and democratic cohesion, either voluntarily or as a nonprofit initiative.

Applications are open to private individuals and nonprofit organizations that demonstrably contribute to social cohesion and are active in associations, citizen media, or initiatives. Evaluation criteria include relevance to civil society, the project's degree of innovation, as well as its sustainability and impact. The call for submissions will be issued in March 2026, the public vote counting will take place from June 8 to 27, followed by the jury’s decision on the second prize. The formal award ceremony is scheduled for October 14 as part of the Hamburg Week of Press Freedom. Through the taz Panter Prize, committed media professionals are empowered and the diversity of grassroots journalism in Germany is promoted.