"Resilient by Nature" - EEA Photo Competition 2026
The European Environment Agency has announced the winners of its 2026 "Resilient by Nature" photo competition. Photographers from across Europe and neighboring partner countries were invited to submit images that show their personal connection to the environment.
From a bird navigating trash in a drainage pipe to nature's ability to recover after a forest fire – these are just two of the winning photos announced on Friday October 9, 2026, that illustrated the spirit and ethos of this year’s European Environment Agency ‘Resilient by Nature’ photo competition.
With close to 2800 entries submitted from 35 countries, the contest highlighted the remarkable diversity of Europe's natural environments and the many ways people experience and document nature's resilience. The rich variety of landscapes, species and environmental stories captured through the lens resulted in an exceptionally strong pool of submissions.
An external jury chose one winning image from each of the categories Harmony, Disruption and Renewal, plus a youth prize.
The winning photos from each category were announced on October 9, 2026.
Congratulations!