About our Winners

Dr Samer Sweid

A leading figure in Palestinian civil society in Israel, Dr Samer Sweid has spent more than two decades strengthening civic participation, political leadership and community organising among Palestinian citizens of Israel.

Samer is the founder of Qadaya, an initiative dedicated to developing leadership and building the capacity of Palestinian citizens to participate more fully in public and political life, and the director of the Arab Centre for Alternative Planning (ACAP).

Under Samer’s leadership, Qadaya has grown significantly in recent years. Its work now includes Beitna, a youth leadership initiative with 70 groups in 25 Palestinian towns in Israel; a national student leadership network; and educational programmes designed to equip existing and emerging leaders with the skills and critical thinking needed to shape their communities and wider society.

Through both ACAP and Qadaya, Samer has helped create spaces for people to organise, develop collective leadership and make their voices heard on the issues that affect their lives. His work has become increasingly important at a time when meaningful democratic participation and strong civic institutions are under growing pressure.

Samer holds a PhD from the University of Haifa and was a Visiting Research Fellow at University College London in 2020–21. Across his academic and civil society work, he remains committed to building a more equal and democratic future for Palestinian citizens of Israel.

Samer grew up and lives in Peki’in, in the far north of Israel. He lives with his wife, their two daughters and their puppy.

Noam Vidan

An educator, organiser and leading voice for liberal democracy, Noam Vidan is the co-founder of IDEA – the Centre for Liberal Democracy, an organisation dedicated to strengthening democratic leadership, education and networks across Israeli society.

Through IDEA, Noam has brought together and supported leaders from across public life, including local mayors, journalists and media figures, educators and youth movements. Her work focuses on equipping people with the knowledge, relationships and confidence to defend democratic values and translate them into action within their own communities and institutions.

IDEA also co-established Ha-migdalor, an educational initiative which now works with more than 100 educational institutions, including dozens of pre-military academies. Its programmes give young people and educators the tools to engage critically with questions of democracy, civic responsibility and the kind of society they want to build.

As Israel’s democratic institutions and culture face profound challenges, Noam has helped build a broad network of people committed to protecting and renewing liberal-democratic values, not only through public advocacy but through long-term investment in education and leadership.

Noam earned her BA and teaching certificate in civics and democracy studies and informal education at Oranim Academic College, and holds an MA in interdisciplinary democratic studies from the Open University.

Noam is originally from Misgav, in northern Israel. She recently moved to London with her partner and their baby daughter.