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Sziget Festival is launching the SZociety Movement to champion youth mental health and honor the unsung heroes building real, supportive communities. Because no young person should face their struggles alone.
Sziget has always been more than just a festival. Its commitment to social causes is well reflected by the fact that the European Festival Awards jury has twice honored the festival with the Take a Stand Award, which recognizes the most outstanding social initiatives by European festivals. Building on this legacy, a new chapter begins this year with the launch of the SZociety Movement and the SZuper SZociety Award, aimed at spotlighting and supporting the professionals, NGOs, and communities working every day for the mental well-being of young people.
"Today's teenagers and twenty-somethings live under greater mental pressure than ever before. The constant online presence, the pressure to perform, and digital noise mean anxiety, burnout, or loneliness for many. SZociety was born out of this realization: Sziget not only wants to draw attention to this phenomenon but also stands alongside those who provide a real lifeline to young people every single day," says Andrea Vidó, the main organizer of Civil Sziget, regarding the creation of the movement.
One of the most important elements of the initiative is the SZuper SZociety Award, which recognizes NGOs, educational institutions, communities, and programs that do significant work for youth well-being, fostering connections, and building supportive communities. The call for applications welcomes local and national initiatives in two categories: BÁZIS (Base) and HORIZONT (Horizon).
The applications will be evaluated by a prestigious professional jury, but the young people affected will also play a role in the decision, as they know best who truly speaks their language and can address them authentically.
However, SZociety is much more than an award. The movement works year-round to connect support organizations with corporations and cultural figures who can back their work using their own resources. A concert ticket, a festival pass, a weekend of relaxation, or other donations can all help these caretakers recharge, allowing help to reach even more young people. In this way, Sziget aims not just to create a community for a few days, but strives year-round to strengthen those who work for others day in and day out.
The winners will be announced during the festival on the Sziget Main Stage, putting a spotlight on those who often work quietly in everyday life, yet with a massive impact, to ensure that young people do not have to face their struggles alone.
Application Information
Applications for the SZuper SZociety Award can be submitted until midnight on July 19, 2026. The call is open to NGOs, educational institutions, communities, and other initiatives that have been actively working for at least one year toward the well-being, social connection, and community support of young people aged 12–30.
The application is open in two categories: BÁZIS (local) and HORIZONT (national)
The detailed call for applications and the submission interface are available at https://szigetfestival.com/hu/szociety.
