About
The European Cartoon Award (ECA) was founded in 2019 to encourage cartoonists in their vital role and stimulate conversations about Europe. Presented annually by Studio Europa Maastricht, the award recognises the impact of cartoons on societal dialogue. In 2026, the ECA will be partnering with the Museum for Sound & Vision. The ECA’26 and Cartoons Day are supported by the City of The Hague, and Stimuleringsfonds voor de Journalistiek.
Quality journalism is of vital importance to healthy democracies – and cartoonists play a crucial role in this system of checks and balances. Their creations are the hallmark of an open society: often just a single image, they hold up a mirror, make change negotiable and induce public debate.
Cartoons are an important part of an open debate, of questioning both old ideas and introducing new ones. Yet, more than any other form of journalism, cartoons are feeling the strain of the shrinking space for freedom of expression.
To encourage cartoonists to continue their essential task, we have launched the European Cartoon Award, worth €10,000 (€7,000 for the Winner and €1,500 for two Runners-up).
Editorial cartoons are the first rough laugh of history. They help us understand the world around us and keep the powerful in check. We need to support cartoonists and celebrate their precious talent.
Emanuele Del Rosso
Organizer of the European Cartoon Award
The European Cartoon Award is organized by award-winning cartoonist and communications specialist Emanuele Del Rosso.
ECA 2025 in numbers
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Submissions
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Cartoons
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In these unprecedented times of polarization, there is an increasing lack of understanding for the perspective of the other. The power of political cartoons is to offer an opening to the truth of the other with irony, humor and sharpness.
Gonny Willems,
director Studio Europa Maastricht
Studio Europa Maastricht
Studio Europa Maastricht is a centre of expertise for Europe-related debate and research founded in 2018 and supported by the partners of the Maastricht, Working on Europe programme: Maastricht University, the Province of Limburg and the City of Maastricht. Together we aim to position Maastricht, the capital of Limburg, as a meeting place for citizen dialogue and debate and establish a centre of excellence for research on Europe and European integration.
Contact: info@studioeuropamaastricht.nl
