On 5 March 2026, the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award was presented in Brussels, Belgium to Ekrem İmamoğlu, the democratically elected Mayor of Istanbul, currently imprisoned in Turkey. The award recognises leaders who demonstrate courage and commitment in defending democracy, solidarity, and equality at the local level.
The prize was accepted on his behalf by the acting Mayor of Istanbul, Nuri Aslan, during the ceremony held in the context of the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions. Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, attended the ceremony as a member of the award’s selection committee and reaffirmed ALDA’s commitment to defending democratic values and local governance across Europe.
A prize honouring courage in local leadership
The Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award commemorates Paweł Adamowicz, the long-serving Mayor of Gdańsk, Poland, who was tragically assassinated in 2019 while performing his public duties. The prize celebrates individuals and organisations that uphold the principles he championed: freedom, solidarity, tolerance, and democratic governance at the local level.
Each year, the award recognises leaders who demonstrate exceptional courage in promoting inclusive societies and protecting democratic institutions, often in challenging political contexts.
The 2026 edition of the award honours Ekrem İmamoğlu for his “unyielding defence of democracy, solidarity and the independence of local government” in the face of increasing political pressure.
İmamoğlu has served as Mayor of Istanbul since 2019 and has become one of the most prominent political figures in Turkey. In March 2025, he was arrested alongside several municipal officials on charges including corruption and bid-rigging. He has strongly denied all allegations, and critics, including international observers, have argued that the charges may be politically motivated.
His arrest triggered large demonstrations across Turkey and raised concerns among international institutions regarding the state of democratic governance and the independence of local authorities. Unable to attend the ceremony, İmamoğlu sent a message from prison expressing gratitude for the recognition and reaffirming his belief in democratic values and the will of citizens.
ALDA’s long-standing commitment to the award
ALDA has been supporting the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award since its creation, contributing to the promotion of democratic governance and the protection of local leaders who defend fundamental freedoms.
The organisation’s engagement with the award reflects its broader mission to strengthen local democracy, civic participation and cooperation between citizens and institutions across Europe and beyond.
In previous editions, initiatives connected to the ALDA network have also been recognised. Notably, the Local Democracy Agency Zavidovići, part of ALDA’s network of Local Democracy Agencies, received the award in 2024 for its longstanding commitment to reconciliation, civic participation and community development in Zavidovići, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The recognition of Ekrem İmamoğlu sends a strong message about the importance of protecting democratic leadership at the local level, particularly in contexts where political pressure challenges the independence of municipalities and elected officials. By honouring leaders who demonstrate resilience and commitment to democratic values, the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award highlights the crucial role that local authorities play in safeguarding freedom, participation, and pluralism.
As part of its continued commitment to democratic governance, ALDA remains actively engaged in initiatives that promote local democracy, support civil society and strengthen the role of municipalities in building inclusive and resilient communities.