28/06/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Selection of Board of Trustees Chairperson Nermeen Elbahtiti to Receive the Euro-Mediterranean International Excellence Award 2026 in Rome
CAIRO / ROME – June 28, 2026
In a major milestone reflecting the growing international presence of Egyptian civil society organizations, the Life Foundation for Development and Community Integration (LFDCI) has received official confirmation from the Association of Mediterranean Journalists and the Organizing Committee regarding the selection of the Foundation’s Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Ms. Nermeen Elbahtiti, to receive the prestigious Euro-Mediterranean International Excellence Award 2026.
This selection comes in recognition of her outstanding contributions to human rights, community empowerment, women's advancement, the social reintegration of vulnerable groups, and the promotion of peace and humanitarian cooperation across the Mediterranean region.
This international honor marks the culmination of a distinguished professional and humanitarian career spanning several years. Throughout her journey, Nermeen Elbahtiti has pioneered innovative social intervention frameworks, most notably the proprietary NIOLA program. The NIOLA system serves as a comprehensive model for the rehabilitation and social reintegration of individuals impacted by the criminal justice system. It provides a structured pathway that originates within correctional facilities and extends seamlessly into community life, aiming to rebuild livelihoods, counter social stigma, and deliver tailored economic empowerment aligned with individual needs and sustainable reintegration strategies.
Under her leadership, the Foundation has spearheaded a diverse portfolio of specialized initiatives dedicated to supporting women, refugees, and marginalized populations, focusing on establishing development paradigms grounded in human dignity, social justice, and strategic institutional partnerships.
The Euro-Mediterranean International Excellence Award stands as a premier global initiative designed to foster dialogue and cross-border cooperation among Mediterranean nations. Founded on the initiative of acclaimed Italian journalist Dündar Kesaplı, President of the Association of Mediterranean Journalists, the award honors exceptional figures and institutions that have driven a measurable, positive impact in culture, media, sports, humanitarian action, development, and community diplomacy.
The core philosophy of the award views the Mediterranean basin as a vital, shared space linking Europe, Asia, and Africa. It seeks to champion the values of peace, intercultural understanding, and mutual exchange, while amplifying initiatives that build more equitable and sustainable societies.
The award has achieved significant international prestige over recent years. Previous editions have honored world-renowned personalities across public service, culture, and sports, including global recording artist Al Bano, actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Italian football legends Dino Zoff and Nicola Pietrangeli, and the President of the Italian Football Federation, Gabriele Gravina, alongside prominent academic and diplomatic figures from more than twelve Mediterranean nations. Subsequent editions have also celebrated international icons such as Luís Figo and José Mourinho, along with senior officials and leaders in justice, culture, and community development. Consequently, European media outlets widely recognize the event as one of the region’s most influential platforms for cultural dialogue and institutional recognition.
The 2026 edition is organized in close cooperation with the Equal Opportunities Committee (CUG) of the Italian Ministry of Culture, with the official support and patronage of Italian government institutions, as part of a shared commitment to advancing cultural diplomacy and regional integration.
The official award ceremony will take place on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the historic Sala Spadolini within the headquarters of the Italian Ministry of Culture in Rome, bringing together state officials, diplomats, cultural leaders, and international media representatives from around the globe.
Following the official announcement, Ms. Nermeen Elbahtiti stated:
"I accept this honor with profound pride and gratitude. I view it as a testament to the collective institutional dedication demonstrated by the Life Foundation and our partners over the years. This honor belongs not to me alone, but to every individual who believes that true development begins with the human being, and that human dignity and social justice form the bedrock of resilient societies."
She added:
"I extend my deepest appreciation to the Award Selection Committee and to Mr. Dündar Kesaplı for this immense trust. I dedicate this achievement to our exceptional team, our partners, and everyone who has championed our mission to empower the most vulnerable segments of society and facilitate their sustainable inclusion."
Ms. Elbahtiti emphasized that this international recognition serves as a powerful catalyst to further scale high-impact Egyptian initiatives—foremost among them the NIOLA program. The Foundation is actively working to establish NIOLA as a benchmark national model for rehabilitation and community reintegration in coordination with relevant authorities, driven by the firm belief that human capacity building is the ultimate investment in a society's future.
She concluded her statement noting:
"This award represents a significant milestone in our journey, but it is far from the finish line. While international recognition builds confidence, true success lies in transforming innovative ideas into sustainable policies and institutional practices. This is how we unlock genuine opportunities of hope for thousands of individuals, contributing to a more equitable, inclusive, and compassionate society."
