Liverpool European Partnership wins national award for strengthening community ties 

Liverpool European Partnership has been named the national winner of the EU Delegation’s EmpowerEU Award in the Community Champions category. 

The award was presented on 20 November in London and recognises organisations whose work brings EU citizens together, strengthens local communities, and promotes inclusion and civic participation across the UK. 

Liverpool European Partnership brings together EU citizens and allies to celebrate European identity, build connections between communities, and address challenges faced by residents across the city. Their work includes supporting EU entrepreneurs and businesses through networking and events, helping young people engage in civic life, and offering information and advocacy on citizens’ rights. 

Over the past year, the group delivered the Liverpool European Festival, a city-wide celebration with 18 events run by 22 organisations that reached more than 1,000 participants. They also hosted a European Conference with the University of Liverpool and convened a European Business Meeting, ensuring EU nationals have a visible and active role in Liverpool’s civic and economic life. 

The EU Delegation selected Liverpool European Partnership for the Community Champions award because of its strong grassroots approach and the breadth of its work in culture, community engagement, rights and opportunity. The group has helped make Liverpool a national example of how European identity can be celebrated at a neighbourhood and city level, while supporting a sense of belonging for EU citizens. 

Cllr Laura Robertson Collins, Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetscene, said: 

“This award is brilliant recognition of the work taking place across Liverpool to support EU citizens and celebrate the diversity that strengthens our city. Liverpool European Partnership have created opportunities for people to connect, share culture and contribute to local life. Their commitment to community building reflects the values that define Liverpool and we are proud to support their work.” 

EU Ambassador Pedro Serrano said: 

“Liverpool European Partnership shows how much can be achieved when communities come together. Their work helps EU citizens feel included, supported and valued, and it strengthens the ties between the UK and the European Union. We are proud to recognise their contribution and the positive impact they have made in Liverpool.” 

Gosia McKane, Director of Liverpool European Festival said: “We are deeply honoured to receive the EmpowerEU Award. This recognition belongs to the volunteers, partners and European communities who have helped us champion European identity in Liverpool.   

“What began in 2023 as an idea to spotlight local European communities through the first Liverpool European Festival during Eurovision has grown into something far bigger. During the last three years, we have brought together over 25 European community organisations through an annual cultural festival, contributed to Liverpool’s Culture Strategy, connected European businesses and entrepreneurs, delivered a European conference, and become strategically involved in the city’s emerging Global Partnership.   

“This is grassroots innovation at its best – cross-sector, community-led and ambitious – and its full potential will be realised through continued collaboration with our strategic partners.” 

This year’s EmpowerEU Awards attracted a record number of applications from across the UK. Now in their second year, the awards highlight organisations that enrich the lives of EU citizens and help strengthen EU UK community ties.