EBRD Literature Prize for Ukrainian books translated in English

Sector: Culture and creative industries
Type: Award
Location: Ukraine
Deadline: Finished
Organiser: European bank for reconstruction and development

This is an international award for books written in Ukrainian or one of the minority languages and published in English. The prize of EUR 20,000 will be equally divided between the author and the translator. This is one of the few literary awards that emphasises the translator's vital role in making these stories accessible to English-speaking audiences.

The books must be translated into English for the first time and published between 15 November 2023 and 14 November 2024.

The prize is provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. This is one of the thousands of EU opportunities for Ukraine. 

More about the prize

What do I get?
  • EUR 20,000 for first place and EUR 4,000 for two runner-up books. The awards must be equally split between the author and the translator
  • Opportunity to present your book to English-speaking readers around the world
  • The finalists will participate in the EBRD Literature Prize award ceremony at EBRD Headquarters on 24 June 2025 in London. Organisers will cover travel expenses and accommodation
Can I apply?

The applications may only be submitted by European (including UK) and North American publishers who:

  • Have a valid ISBN — International standard book number
  • Have the price printed in the currency of a European or North American country
  • Have published a book during the period between 15 November 2023 and 14 November 2024

The author must be a citizen of Ukraine, North America, or another EBRD country of operation

What do I need to apply?
  • Completed application form
  • A brief description of the book and plot summary
  • Biographic details of the author and translator
  • A brief statement as to why the book merits consideration
  • The date of publication and contacts of the publisher
  • Six copies of the book

More about participation requirements here.

How do I apply?

Please complete the submission form by 6 December and send it to the EBRD Headquarters along with six hard copies of each book.

The Headquarters' address is Baigalmaa Sanjjav, Office of Secretary General EBRD, 5 Bank Street, London E14 4BG.

Good to know
  • Books written in other EBRD countries of operation languages are also eligible to apply for the competition.
  • The work's author must be living when it is submitted.
  • Applying books must not be self-translated or self-published.
  • Any individual publisher may not submit more than one book per EBRD country of operations but may submit a single book from more than one country of operations. For example, a UK publisher may submit one book each from Slovenia, Ukraine, and Albania but not two from Ukraine.
  • The shortlist and three finalists will be announced in spring 2025.

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