 Freedom of speech, tolerance, equality and solidarity are fundamental European values, the same values that were promoted by Pavel Adamovich, mayor of Gdansk and member of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions. Pavel Adamovich paid the ultimate price for fighting hate speech and for working in favour of the integration of migrants. He was stabbed on the 13th of January 2019 while speaking at a charity event and died from his injuries the following day at the age of 53. While Pavel Adamovich has left a huge void, his legacy lives on. He is an inspiration to mayors and presidents of regions across Europe working to make communities a better place and to safeguard democracy. It's for this reason that in 2021 the European Committee of the Regions launched the Mayor Pavel Adamovich Award for courage and excellence in promotion of freedom, solidarity and equality. This year's award takes place in a difficult context as Ukrainian citizens as well as local and regional authorities are fighting for the same values Mayor Pavel Adamovich believed in. My friend Pavel was a mayor of Gdansk who was fighting for our common EPP values and he died for it. Right now, nominations for a 2023 winner of Pavel Adamovich Award are open. I would like to cordially encourage you to nominate outstanding personality or organisation who share the same value.