Nordic Safe Cities has been awarded the 2026 Finn Nørgaard Prize for its cross-border efforts to prevent radicalization, extremism, and hate across the Nordic region. The nonprofit organization, founded in 2016 with support from the Nordic Council of Ministers, operates throughout Denmark and neighboring countries. Its initiatives include youth groups, democracy guides, and Edda, an AI-powered moderation tool designed to detect hate speech and harassment on social media. Edda was notably tested by Danish local politicians during the 2025 municipal elections.
The prize honors Finn Nørgaard, a Danish filmmaker who lost his life on February 14, 2015, trying to stop the attacker during the Copenhagen terror shooting at Krudttønden. First awarded in 2016 on the anniversary of his death, the prize is decided by the Finn Nørgaard Association’s board. This year’s award recognizes Nordic Safe Cities for strengthening community-level prevention work through collaboration and concrete action.
Jeppe Albers, founder and director of Nordic Safe Cities, expressed pride in receiving the honor. “Finn Nørgaard stood for humanism, dialogue, and courage—values we translate daily into prevention, safety, and stronger Nordic communities in uncertain times,” he said. Alongside the main prize, the organization received 50,000 kroner.
Two additional awards were also given: Kefa Abu Ras earned the 2026 Ildsjælepris for combating social and religious control targeting women. Foreningen Savn received a 30,000-kroner work grant for supporting children and families of incarcerated individuals.