For the third year in a row, the Embassy of Sweden in Canada, in partnership with the Raoul Wallenberg Academy and the Swedish Institute, is launching the Young Courage Award nomination campaign in Canada. The recipient will travel to Sweden for the official Award Ceremony in August 2026 to meet recipients from other countries and “travel in the footsteps of Raoul Wallenberg” in Stockholm.
The award is a non-political recognition with the aim to highlight actions of moral courage.
Raoul Wallenberg is Canada’s first honourary citizen, designated in 1985. A Swedish diplomat, he is recognized annually for his efforts to save Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust. In late 1944 Budapest, Wallenberg worked with others to issue protective passes and shelter thousands of Jews in safe houses. He disappeared on January 17, 1945, at age 32, after being taken into Soviet custody and is presumed to have been executed.
Canada commemorates Wallenberg on January 17, the day of his disappearance, to “ensure that his personal example of heroism, courage and decency is always remembered.”
For more information on Raoul Wallenberg: Raoul Wallenberg – World War II hero | sweden.se
Everyday, all over the world people are carrying out acts that make the world a better place.
Find inspiration here: 100-listan-english.pdf. Feel free to print out this poster and spread within your community.
Anyone can submit nominations, whether it is a teacher nominating a student, parents nominating a child, a sports club nominating a club mate, or friends nominating each other. It is the action and the degree of civil courage that is assessed.
The nomination period is open from 17 January to 31 March 2026.
Please submit your nominations by filling out the form below.
The nominations are collected by the Embassy of Sweden in Ottawa and forwarded to the Raoul Wallenberg Academy in Stockholm. An appointed external Swedish jury makes the final selection. Potential recipients will be notified in late May.
Nominations open for Canada
The nomination campaign closes
The Embassy is informed by the Raoul Wallenberg Academy of who has been selected. The Embassy in Ottawa informs the Canadian recipient.
The Young Canadian recipient travels to Stockholm
Raoul Wallenberg Day and Award Ceremony in Stockholm
Return journey to Canada
Taiya Peckham, 17 years old, was the first Canadian recipient of the Young Courage Award in 2024. She was honoured for the work she has done to combat discrimination and create safe spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ youth in schools. Ever since her recognition, she has broadened her scope of advocacy. From speaking with organizations to fighting for mental health supports, this award has added much fuel to her work.
My name is Leah Freedhoff, and I have become a strong voice against antisemitism in Ottawa while studying at Sir Robert Borden High School. I have been using my voice to try to help my fellow Jewish students feel seen, safe, and supported. I have been fiercely advocating for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.
We encourage you to share the link for this website within your community, school or organization. Raoul Wallenberg’s legacy and the award can also serve as starting points for conversations about moral courage and what it means today.
Find resources here:
The Embassy will publish several social media posts between end of January until end of March which schools and/or individuals are welcome to promote and share. You can find the Embassy social media handles below.
The Embassy is also happy to distribute posters for online and offline use. Please send an email to event.ottawa@gov.se if you would be interested in receiving posters.
