Coppieters Awards to recognise the Saami Council

On March 25th 2026, Coppieters Foundation will celebrate the Coppieters award ceremony in Brussels.

For the first time ever, the recognition is not awarded to an individual but to an organisation: The Saami Council – Sámiráđđi, a non governmental organisation founded in 1956  and gathering Saami member organizations in Finland, Russia, Norway and Sweden. It is the oldest indigenous peoples’ organizations in Europe.

With this award, the Coppieters Foundation is honoured to commend the Saami Council for its exceptional and long-standing commitment to advocating for the defense of cultural and linguistic diversity, collective rights, and the recognition of the Sámi people, as well as for promoting the ideals of equality, sustainability, and peace.

Through its work, the Sámi Council has strengthened the international recognition of Sámi culture and has consistently advocated for the right to self-determination, democratic participation, and consultation in decisions affecting Sámi lands and livelihoods.

At a time of increasing geopolitical tensions, environmental pressures, and challenges to minority rights across Europe, recognising the Sámi people is both a matter of justice and a commitment to a more inclusive, diverse, sustainable and peaceful Europe.

What are Coppieters awards?

The Coppieters Awards are an initiative of the Coppieters Foundation to honour individuals and organizations that -like Maurits Coppieters himself –  stand out in defence of cultural and linguistic diversity, inter-cultural dialogue, self-determination, rights of minorities, peace, democracy and a united Europe.

The main objective of the Coppieters Awards is to give recognition to persons and organizations that have successfully managed to find innovative ways to advocate for and to embody these values.

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Practicalities:

When: Wednesday 25 March 2026 at 18:00 (Doors open at 17:00)
Where: L42 – Rue de la loi 42 Wetsraat. Brussel.

Language:

The event will be held in English. No interpretation will be provided

Get involved:

This event is invitation-only. It is a private event and access is only allowed upon receipt of invitation and confirmation of interest.

Share your views about the event on Social Media with the hashtag #CoppietersAwards26

Press:

Media inquiries can be addressed to info@coppietersfoundation.eu

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This award and the Coppieters Foundation is financially supported by the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not liable for the content of the event nor for the opinions of the speakers at the awards ceremony.

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