Boris Nemtsov Prize

Boris Nemtsov repeatedly told his friends and supporters: “You need bravery to defend freedom in Russia.” He firmly believed that Russia is part of Europe and was a principled supporter of liberal values. In the final years before his assassination, Nemtsov became one of the fiercest critics of Vladimir Putin’s regime.

To celebrate Nemtsov’s courageous fight with the authoritarian regime in Russia, the Foundation established the Boris Nemtsov Prize for Courage in defending democratic rights and freedoms. It was first presented in 2016, and, since then, it is annually awarded to an individual who has shown exceptional civil courage.

WINNERS

2023

Maria Ponomarenko, Vladimir Rumyantsev, Nikita Tushkanov, Mikhail Simonov, Maxim Lypkan Russian

Russian citizens who denounced Russian military aggression

2022

Volodymyr Zelensky
politician

2021

Alexei Navalny
politician

2020

Konstantin Kotov
civil activist

2019

Anastasia Shevchenko
civil activist

2018

Nadezhda Mityushkina
civil activist

2017

Ildar Dadin
civil activist

2016

Lev Shlosberg
politician