The President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu was awarded the 2025 Reinhard Mohn Prize to the value of €100,000. The head of state was recognized for her courage and determination to support democratic values in the face of complex external challenges. According to the President’s Office, the money will be donated and the largest part will go to support development projects in Maia Sandu's native village Risipeni, in Fălești district, IPN reports.

The Reinhard Mohn Prize is awarded by the Bertelsmann Stiftung every two years. Maia Sandu said that this represents "recognition of the courage of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, who have shown once again that they want to live in democracy and fought for it." “Moldova has proven that democracy can resist even in the most difficult circumstances," stressed the official.

The Bertelsmann Stiftung is a nonprofit organization based in Gütersloh, Germany. It carries out research projects, develops innovative solutions and supports democratic reforms. A renowned project of the foundation is the Reinhard Mohn Prize awarded since 2011, every two years, for innovative solutions to contemporary social and political problems.