Fourteen influential European voices come together for the 2026 ACT Care Awards Expert Jury, led by MEP Manuela Ripa.
The ACT Care Awards have announced the composition of their 2026 Expert Jury, bringing together fourteen senior figures from across European institutions, international organisations, NGOs, global brands, creative agencies and the media industry.
This year’s jury reflects the breadth of voices shaping today’s communications landscape, from public policy and sustainability to humanitarian action, corporate affairs, creative strategy and media. Manuela Ripa, Member of the European Parliament, will serve as Jury President, leading a panel that combines institutional, societal and industry perspectives.
The 2026 jury comprises :
Manuela Ripa – JURY PRESIDENT – Member of the European Parliament, EPP Group, Germany – Ecological Democratic Party, Member of the Committee on Culture and Education.
Hristo Petrov, Member of the European Parliament, Renew Europe Group, Bulgaria – We Continue the Change, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education.
Dirk von Holleben, Adviser for Corporate Campaigns, European Commission
Elena Kasko, Senior Policy and Strategic Partnership Advisor, UNFPA Representation.
Deborah Van Thournout, Belgium’s Communication Director, WWF
Eric Espinosa, Communication and Corporate Partnership Manager, CARE Belgium.
Karen Massin, Head Government Affairs and Public Policy, European Institutions, Google
Iva Bennefeld, Former VP Marketing & Brand Excellence & Transformation Europe.
Pierre Bellefleur, Chief Executive Officer, La Chose.
Jérémie Goldwasser, Executive Creative Director, Ogilvy Social Lab.
Charley Stoney, Chief Executive Officer, EACA.
Amanda Benfell, Head of PR & Press, WARC.
Maxim Morin, Head of New Business Experiences & Growth Partnerships, WOO.
Damien Lemaire, Editor-in-Chief, Media & Marketing Be.
A jury reflecting the many voices of responsible communication.
The composition of the 2026 jury underlines the growing importance of bringing different perspectives to the evaluation of responsible communication. With representatives from European institutions, organisations working on global social and environmental issues, and leaders from the advertising and marketing ecosystem, the panel brings together the expertise needed to assess campaigns beyond their creative execution.
The jury will evaluate the shortlisted work against the Awards’ three key criteria: impact, creativity and responsibility.
Christian de la Villehuchet, Global Chief Client and Global Chief Integration Officer at Havas and President of the European Association of Communications Agencies (EACA), remains the Godfather of the ACT Care Awards, continuing his longstanding support for the initiative.
He sums up the philosophy behind the Awards:
“Communication is the only business that can change both advertisers agenda and consumer behaviours. In a positive way. The ACT Care Awards have celebrated this role since they were created 19 years by recognizing the true value of communication shaping the world to a slightly better place.
Recognising communication’s power to make a difference.
Created to celebrate the positive contribution of the communications industry, the ACT Care Awards spotlight campaigns that use creativity to raise awareness, challenge perceptions, inspire action and address social and environmental challenges.
By bringing together fourteen voices from across the industry and beyond, the 2026 Expert Jury will help identify and celebrate the work demonstrating that communication can be both creatively outstanding and a force for good.
Fourteen voices. One shared ambition: making communication a force for good.
Invitation to jin the 2026 Winners Ceremony.
The winners of the 2026 ACT Care awards will be announced on December 3rd at Maison Grand Place Brussels during the Effie Europe Day.
⚠️ Note: Space is limited, so please RSVP early to secure your place. We will confirm your attendance via email.
- 📅 Date: December 3, 202§
- 🕛 Time: 11:45 PM
- 📍 Location: Maison Grand-Place, Grand Place 19, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgique
