Announced on 5 May 2014, awarded on 22 June 2014



Edward Snowden has been named as the first recipient of the Berliner Prize for Civic Courage, which recognises his “courageous advocacy of democracy and civil rights.” Mr Snowden has said he is “very honoured” to have been chosen for the Prize, which was formally awarded at a public ceremony in Berlin on 22 June 2014, the day after his birthday. Courage Acting Director Sarah Harrison accepted the award on Mr Snowden’s behalf.





The prize is a citizen-driven initiative, which has been funded by 100 private donors who have each given 100 Euro. While most of the donors are based in Germany, prize donations have also been received from Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Nepal, Switzerland and the United States.