Alzheimer Europe and the Alzheimer Europe Foundation are pleased to announce the finalists for the 2026 Anti-Stigma Award, following presentations by shortlisted candidates to the Award Committee during a virtual meeting held today.
Building on the success of the initiative over the past four years, this year’s award focuses on the powerful connection between music and dementia, recognising outstanding European initiatives and artists who use music to challenge stigma and promote a more positive and inclusive image of dementia. The award celebrates projects that actively involve people with dementia in musical activities, as well as songs, performances and other musical productions that help raise awareness, foster understanding and encourage greater social inclusion.
The awards will consist of a cash prize of EUR 5,000 for the first prize, EUR 2,500 for second prize and EUR 1,250 for third prize. Trophies and awards will be presented at the award ceremony organised in Dublin on 28 October 2026, as part of the networking dinner of #36AEC.
Congratulations to all eight finalists selected, out of a total of 46 applicants. The finalists have all been invited to attend our special award dinner and ceremony taking place on 28 October, in Dublin (Ireland), at which we will announce the winner.
The finalists are (in alphabetical order):
• Daniel Cauchi and Michael Spagnol, for "Niftakarna"
• Marlene Cristina Neves Rosa and Francisco Saldanha, for "A minha Tita era assim" (“That’s Who My Grandma Tita Was”)
• Claus Christensen, for “Når vi er sammen”
• Mike Hanrahan, for "A River Rolls On Mike Hanrahan" with the Forgetmenots choir
• James McKillop, for "Diff'rently the Same" and "I Still Love You"
• Naaheed Mukadam, for "Music, meaning and memory"
• The Choir of Alzheimer Hellas, for "Beautiful Greece"
• Voices of courage beyond the diagnosis, for "The Dementia Choir"
If you would like to attend the award ceremony in Dublin, 28 October, you can register here: https://www.eventsforce.net/alzheimereurope/frontend/reg/tSelectBookingMode.csp?pageID=11017&eventID=17&tempPersonID=89323
