Zeeland honors local champions of freedom with annual awards ceremony
Eleven individuals and organizations in Zeeland are competing for the Local Four Freedoms Awards 2026, celebrating those who promote human rights and dignity. The winners will be announced on April 2 in Middelburg, highlighting local efforts to uphold freedom of expression, religion, and protection from want and fear.
| Category | Nominees |
|---|---|
| Freedom of Expression | Ammar Dale Bsal, Bram Mvambanu (rapper Cycz), Dolle Mina’s Zeeland |
| Freedom of Religion | PAX Peace Week Walcheren, Yilderim Beyazit Mosque |
| Freedom from Want | Alex de Vos, Dennis van Overbeeke, The Pennywafelhuis |
| Freedom from Fear | Volunteer platform Handje Extra, Ria Geluk, Zeeland Wish Ambulance |
| Event Details | Value |
| Date | April 2, 2026 |
| Location | Town Hall, Markt, Middelburg |
| Organizers | Province of Zeeland, University College Roosevelt, Discriminatie.nl |
| Jury Chair | Tobias Rothenberger (Youth Advisor, Roosevelt Foundation) |
| Registration | Mandatory via registration form |
The Province of Zeeland, in collaboration with local partners, organizes the Local Four Freedoms Awards to recognize and encourage initiatives that uphold fundamental human rights within the community. This event underscores the province’s commitment to fostering social cohesion and awareness of freedoms that are foundational to a dignified society.
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Presentation of Local Four Freedoms Awards
Eleven advocates of the four freedoms in Zeeland are in the running for one of the Local Four Freedoms Awards 2026.
On April 2, 2026, the winners of the awards will be announced during the award ceremony at the town hall on the Markt in Middelburg.
The awards are presented to individuals, organizations, and businesses in Zeeland that have committed or are committed to the four freedoms. They demonstrate that they can truly make a difference in their own communities when it comes to human rights and a dignified existence.
There is an award for each freedom: freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. The jury has nominated the following individuals and organizations (in alphabetical order):
Freedom of Expression
- Mr. Ammar Dale Bsal
- Mr. Bram Mvambanu (rapper Cycz)
- Dolle Mina’s Zeeland
Freedom of Religion
- PAX Peace Week Walcheren
- Yilderim Beyazit Mosque
Freedom from Want
- Mr. Alex de Vos
- Mr. Dennis van Overbeeke
- The Pennywafelhuis
Freedom from Fear
- The volunteer platform Handje Extra
- Ms. Ria Geluk
- The Zeeland Wish Ambulance
The jury consists of five members from the education sector (UCR), the business community (Rabobank Zeeuwse Delta), the social sector (Discriminatie.nl), and the youth network Jouw Zeeland. The chairman of the jury is Tobias Rothenberger, youth advisor for the Roosevelt Foundation.
Interested parties can register to attend the award ceremony on April 2, but the number of available seats is limited. Registration is mandatory and can be done via the registration form.
The presentation of the Local Four Freedoms Award 2026 is organized by the Province of Zeeland, University College Roosevelt, and Discriminatie.nl, and is made possible in part by Rabobank Zeeuwse Delta.