Press releases of Europa-Universität Flensburg (EUF)

Today (June 16) in Flensburg, Margrethe Vestager receives the EUF Europa Prize—endowed by the University Council, with prize money of 10,000 euros. The Dane has demonstrated exceptional commitment to safeguarding the European common good. “In Margrethe Vestager, we are honoring a prize winner who stands for a fair, rules-based order with her clear stance, her integrity, and her commitment,” explains Andreas Dethleffsen, Chair of the University Council of Europa-Universität Flensburg: “The German-Danish border region has a long history. The awarding of the Europa Prize to a Danish politician once again demonstrates the strong roots that Europa-Universität Flensburg has in the region and the university’s special role in fostering successful European coexistence.”

“I have spent much of my working life asking whether the rules we set actually serve people — whether a merger makes things harder for ordinary consumers, whether a platform’s terms are truly fair, whether a fine changes behaviour or just makes headlines. Flensburg, sitting where two countries chose cooperation over conflict, reminds me why that work matters. Europe is most itself at its borders. I am honoured and moved to receive this prize.”, says Margrethe Vestager. 

Europa-Prize-Winner Margrethe Vestager

“Margrethe Vestager has worked tirelessly and with clear communication to promote a digitally and economically independent Europe. In amending and implementing competition law with regard to market-leading technology companies, she has strengthened free and fair competition. She is a clear voice for a sovereign and democratic Europe,” says Prof. Dr. Christiane Hipp, President of Europa-Universität Flensburg, in praise of the award winner.

Margrethe Vestager served as Executive Vice President of the European Commission from 2019 to 2024 and led the group on 'A Europe fit for the digital age.’ During this time, she initiated programs for the digital transformation of the economy and society. She had served as EU Commissioner for Competition since 2014 and, in that capacity, was responsible, among other things, for enforcing European competition law. In her time as a Danish politician, she held various ministerial posts as well as leadership roles in the Danish party Radikale Venstre, and was a member of the Danish Parliament. Since 2025, she has been Chair of the Board of Directors at Denmark’s Tekniske Universitet in Lyngby near Copenhagen. 

The EUF Europa Prize – endowed by the University Council was first awarded in 2018. The prize honors individuals who are committed to a strong and democratic Europe. The first recipient was the Danish author Carsten Jensen; in 2021, the former European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly received the prize. The prize money of 10,000 euros is donated by the University Council of Europa-Universität Flensburg. To fund this, the members forgo the expense allowances to which they are entitled.