About the Award
The UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award honours individuals, groups and organizations who go above and beyond the call of duty to protect refugees, displaced and stateless people.
Established in 1954, the Award celebrates the legacy of Fridtjof Nansen, a Norwegian scientist, polar explorer, diplomat and first High Commissioner for Refugees for the League of Nations.
"We must raise our banner in every country and forge the links of brotherhood around the world."
Fridtjof Nansen
Who was Fridtjof Nansen?
Fridtjof Nansen served as the first High Commissioner for Refugees in the League of Nations after displacement caused by the First World War. He served from 1920 to 1930, and his efforts helped hundreds of thousands of refugees to return home and many others to become legal residents in the countries where they had found refuge.
Nansen saw that one of the biggest problems facing refugees was the lack of internationally recognized identification papers. He established the first legal instrument to bestow international protection to refugees. This document came to be known as the ‘Nansen passport’.
As the first High Commissioner for Refugees, Nansen organized a relief programme for millions of Russians affected by the 1921-1922 famine. For his crucial work, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922.
History of the Award
The first UNHR Nansen Refugee Award was presented in 1954 to Eleanor Roosevelt, the first Chair of the UN Human Rights Commission and First Lady of the United States alongside President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Over the years, more than 60 individuals, groups or organizations have received the Award for their extraordinary service and outstanding work for people forced to flee their homes. You can see a list of past recipients here.
Starting in 1979, laureates received a cash prize of USD 50,000 to fund their critical work helping people forced to flee. In 2017, this prize increased to USD 150,000.
Since 2017, Regional Winners are also recognized for their humanitarian efforts.
View past winners of the UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award here.
Sponsors of the Award
The UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award is generously sponsored by the governments of Norway and Switzerland. The global laureate receives USD 150,000, generously donated by the governments of Switzerland and Norway, to pursue a project to assist refugees, displaced or stateless people, developed in close consultation with The UN Refugee Agency.
We are grateful for the support of our UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award Partners: