The Lorenzo Natali Prize is a journalism prize awarded annually by the European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) since 1992. The prize rewards outstanding reporting on issues related to climate, environment and energy, digital and infrastructure, gender equality, human development, migration and forced displacement, peace and governance, sustainable growth and jobs, and youth.^[1]

Named after Lorenzo Natali, an Italian politician and former European Commissioner, the Lorenzo Natali Media Prize was established in 1992 to celebrate the work of journalists who report on stories about the social, political, economic and environmental dimensions of development around the world.^[2][3] It recognises journalism's contribution to building more sustainable, fairer and more prosperous societies, in line with the European Union's development policies.^[1]

The Prize was not awarded between 1995 and 1997. In 1998 the prize was relaunched in collaboration with the International Federation of Journalists who was a partner in managing the award for several years.^[2]

The Lorenzo Natali Media Prize accepts published work from print, online and broadcast reporters from European Union countries as well as the EU's international partner countries. This year, journalists can enter in one of four categories:

• Best Emerging Journalist Award: Open to journalists between 18 and 25.
• Investigative Journalism Award: Reporting whose objective is to uncover serious issues such as crimes, injustice, corruption, or corporate wrongdoing, and to expose these to the public.
• Feature Journalism Award: Reporting focusing on entertaining, educating, engaging or informing the audience.  
• Special Award: The 2024 edition will recognise photojournalism work.^[1] 

The 32^nd edition of the Lorenzo Natali Prize opened for applications on 29 May. Journalists can apply by submitting eligible stories until 30 June.

Detailed information on the terms and conditions is available here.

Prize applications will be pre-selected by four renowned international journalism faculties: Vesalius College, Belgium, the Catholic University of Portugal, Universidad de Navarra, Spain, and Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Lebanon. Pre-selected entries are then evaluated by a Grand Jury of internationally renowned journalists and representatives from key non-governmental organisations around the world. The winner from each category is awarded EUR 10,000 and the winner of the Best Emerging Journalist Prize is offered a work experience/a traineeship with a media partner.^[4]

The first edition in 1992 was won by Reporters Without Borders.^[2] Since then, more than 100 published reports have been celebrated for their contribution to society across several categories.^[5] Journalists celebrated by the prize include:

More winners can be found on the Lorenzo Natali Prize website.

Winners of the 31st edition Lorenzo Natali Media Prize^[6]

• International Prize: Carmen Victoria Inojosa, Claudia Smolansky, and a third anonymous journalist, ‘Así funcionan las casas clandestinas de la Dgcim en Caracas', published in Armando.info. 
• Europe Prize: Emanuela Barbiroglio and Stefano Valentino, ‘European green finance is paying for deforestation in Indonesia: the case of Michelin', published in VoxEurop. 
• Best Emerging Journalist Prize: Sofia Savina, ‘Not just Bucha. Here's what happened outside Chernihiv', published in IStories media.

The Grand Jury of the 2023 Lorenzo Natali Media Prize included Syed Nazakat, Frederik Obermaier, Naglaa Elemary, Vânia Maia, and Katia Brembatti.