J4T AWARDS is an annual competition for journalists and mass media.
The competition aims to enhance the professional skills of media workers in the field of equality and non-discrimination, promote the development of social journalism, and increase the positive visibility of vulnerable groups in Belarusian society.
Categories:
Content on Equality and Non-Discrimination
This category accepts articles, photo reports, video materials, and radio broadcasts that promote the ideas of equality and non-discrimination of vulnerable social groups in Belarus.
Each author may submit up to three works. To take part, fill in the online form by 20 November 2026. Works must have been published between 1 November 2025 and 31 October 2026. The form is in Belarusian.
The winner will be selected by a jury composed of editors from Belarusian media outlets. Laureates will receive honorary certificates and a special prize. The winner will also have the opportunity to participate in an educational trip to a European country in 2027. In 2026, last year’s winner Maryna Mikhailava visited Stockholm Pride; in 2025, the winner visited EuroPride in Oslo; in 2024 – EuroPride in Thessaloniki; in 2023 – EuroPride in Belgrade.
Past winners include Belarusian journalists such as Maryna Mikhailava, Sasha Kamko, Iryna Novik, Alena Kavalchuk, Veranika Ulasevich, Natallia Kastsiukevich, and Ulad Shvyadovich.
Mass Media of the Year
This category recognises a media editorial team that has actively promoted the ideas of equality and inclusion in its work, highlighting the challenges faced by vulnerable groups in Belarus and among relocated communities.
The winner is chosen through a vote by NGO representatives and individual activists working on inclusion of vulnerable groups. This year, nominations are made through the Telegram bot @j4t_awards_bot (in Belarusian) until 20 November 2026 inclusive. It takes 3–4 minutes. The winning mass media will receive an honorary certificate and a special prize.
Previous winners include the analytical portal “Zautra Tvaioi Krainy”, the online newspaper “Salidarnasts”, the digital magazine 34Mag, the online publication kyky.org, the portal TUT.BY, the portal EX-PRESS.BY, and Hrodna.life.
Person of the Year
A special J4T nomination awarded for contributions to the development of initiatives and the human rights movement in Belarus. The laureate is selected by the team of the Human Rights Initiative “Journalists for Tolerance”. In 2025, the Person of the Year was Alisa Sarmant (TG House).
The results of J4T AWARDS 2026 will be announced no later than 20 December 2026.