2025 cycle "AI, Bias and the New Europe" has officially ended... Awardees announced on the Official page
History & Statistics
Since its establishment in 2019, the European Sociological Essay Olympiad (ESEO) has grown into a respected platform for young thinkers across Europe and beyond, offering students a chance to engage with contemporary sociological challenges through essay writing and academic dialogue.
The Olympiad was founded with the vision of fostering critical sociological inquiry and providing an accessible, inclusive space for youth to reflect on the pressing social questions of their time.
Growth and Participation Over the Years
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Year: 2019
Theme: Digital Publics and Social Movements
Number of Participating Nations: 11
Number of Student Participants: 20
Nation Awarded Gold Merit: Italy
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Year: 2020
Theme:Risk, Solidarity, and Social Trust in Times of Uncertainty
Number of Participating Nations: 15
Number of Student Participants: 26
Nation Awarded Gold Merit: Portugal
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Year: 2021
Theme: Borders, Belonging, and Exclusion
Number of Participating Nations: 25
Number of Student Participants: 49
Nation Awarded Gold Merit: Greece
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Year: 2022
Theme: Nostalgia, Youth Subcultures, and Social Resistance
Number of Participating Nations: 27
Number of Student Participants: 50
Nation Awarded Gold Merit: Finland
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Year: 2023
Theme: Media, Trust, and the Crisis of Public Information
Number of Participating Nations: 32
Number of Student Participants: 57
Nation Awarded Gold Merit: Turkey
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Year: 2024
Theme: Climate Anxiety, Inequality, and Environmental Futures
Number of Participating Nations: 38
Number of Student Participants: 71
Nation Awarded Gold Merit: Greece
Year: 2025
Theme: AI, Bias, and the New Europe
Number of Participating Nations: 38
Number of Student Participants: 74
Nation Awarded Gold Merit: France​
Since its foundation in 2019, the European Sociological Essay Olympiad has seen exponential growth in both scope and participation. From an initial s 11 countries, the competition expanded to engage students from over 35 countries by 2025, with further growth expected in 2026.The Olympiad’s consistent rise in participation reflects a growing interest in critical sociological inquiry among youth, as well as increasing support from national delegations and educators across Europe.
Notice
Please note: The participation and award records listed above are compiled annually by the ESEO Executive Board based on official delegation reports. Final participant numbers for 2026 will be confirmed after the completion of the international round. The ESEO does not rank nations by overall medal count, and all distinctions are awarded solely based on the merit of submitted essays, evaluated anonymously.