The call for nominations for the Minna Canth Prize opens today, Tuesday 25 August 2026. This nationally significant prize aims to highlight individuals and organisations whose work has advanced democracy, equality and freedom of speech. The prize is awarded annually.
The first Minna Canth Prize in 2026 was awarded to Nicehearts. Pictured, the Executive Director of Nicehearts, Johanna Sjöholm. Photo: Savon Sanomat.
The Minna Canth Prize was established to honour the legacy of Minna Canth, the Kuopio-born author, social reformer and advocate for gender equality. Its purpose is to give visibility to work and actions that strengthen civil society and promote a just and sustainable future.
The prize was awarded for the first time this spring, on Minna Canth Day, 19 March 2026. The first recipient was Nicehearts, an association promoting equality, inclusion and a sense of community. Nicehearts supports girls, women, families and gender minorities in finding their own place in society.
Minna Canth, 1894. Photo: Victor Barsokevitch. Source: Finna.
The Minna Canth Prize may be awarded to an individual or an organisation that has made an exceptionally distinguished contribution to at least one of the prize’s core criteria. These are:
– advancing the principles of democracy and civil society
– advancing social equality and inclusion
– advancing freedom of speech
– advancing education and wellbeing through science or culture
– advancing gender equality, and
– advancing sustainable development.
The prize is worth EUR 35,000. The Minna Canth Prize is administered by the City of Kuopio in cooperation with Savon Sanomat and the University of Eastern Finland. The prize is funded by Genelec Oy, Olvi Foundation, Saastamoinen Foundation and Säästöpankki Optia Foundation.
Nominations can be submitted between 25 August and 29 September 2026 using the form at: https://easiointi.kuopio.fi/s/palkitsemiset/minnacanthpalkinto.
Further information about the prize, the nomination process and the rules:
– https://www.minnacanthpalkinto.fi, and
– Professor Jukka Mönkkönen, Chair of the Prize Committee, University of Eastern Finland, jukka.monkkonen@uef.fi, +358 40 728 8057
