Following first encouraging reception from EU officials and the inspiring discussion in Athens, we are excited to take the next steps towards realising the Athena Awards for Outstanding European Theatre — a new global stage for celebrating artistic excellence, democratic values, and innovation in our field.
We are currently further developing the concept and explore working closely with a funding expert to make this bold vision a reality. In the meantime, we want to start building the essential structure of the Awards. As announced, the selection process will be organised around five regional clusters, and we are now looking for motivated coordinating teams to lead the nomination and selection process in each region.
The Five Regional Clusters:
Cluster 1: North-West Europe
This cluster includes the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland and Germany.
Cluster 2: South-West Europe
This cluster includes Spain, Portugal, Italy, Malta.
Cluster 3: Central & Eastern Europe
This cluster includes Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
Cluster 4: South-Eastern Europe / Balkans
This cluster includes Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Turkey and Greece.
Cluster 5: Northern Europe & Nordics
This cluster includes Norway and Sweden.
What Does the Role of Regional Coordinator Entail?
Each coordinating team (led by one ETC member theatre and supported by others) will be responsible for:
- Overseeing the nomination and regional selection process;
- Establishing a regional selection committee composed of 5 members: critics, journalists, theatre professionals, and cultural experts;
- Ensuring transparent and inclusive regional representation;
- Liaising with the central ETC coordination team throughout the process.
This role is on a voluntary basis and open to ETC member theatres only. No remuneration is foreseen at this stage.
How Will the Awards Work?
There will be awards across the following categories:
- Artists: Emerging Talent, Lifetime Achievement
- Productions: European Collaboration, Artistic Forms, Freedom of Expression
- Research & Practices: Sustainability, Innovation & Technology, Diversity & Inclusion
- Venues: Audience Engagement, Theatre Venue of the Year
Each region will shortlist outstanding nominations, which will then be submitted to an international jury of renowned theatre experts for the final selection. Winners will be announced at the Athena Awards Ceremony, held in May 2026 at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin during the European Theatre Forum.
Important Dates
Deadline to apply as regional coordinator: 2 June 2025
Notification of selection: 5 June 2025
Mandatory coordination meetings:
- Kick-off: 5 June 2025
Determine the 5 ETC member coordinators (lead and team) to manage their regional selection committee
Announce in meeting 2 on 5.6.
- Follow-up: 26 June 2025
Coordinators suggest selection committee members (five in each committee)
How to Apply
Please fill in the Application Form by 2 June 2025.
