Spanish news website Protestante Digital has awarded Laura Ramírez, a journalist for the leading Europa Press news agency, the 2026 ‘Unamuno, Friend of Protestants Award’.

This is the 18th edition of this public recognition of the Spanish evangelical community, which this year coincides with the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance (AEE) - the organisation that sponsors the news website and represents Spanish Protestantism within the European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) and the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).

The Unamuno award recognises Spanish individuals or institutions that, not being of Protestant or evangelical faith, have made a significant contribution to the plurality and coexistence of society, especially in issues related to Spanish faith minorities.

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However, it not only recognises the work and personal achievements of major institutions and public figures, but also those of outstanding individuals, as is the case this year.

“The serious and quiet work of news agencies”

Pedro Tarquis, president of Protestante Digital, has recognised “the reliable and quiet work of news agencies, in contrast to the sensationalism that so often floods the media and social media, as well as the almost anonymous work of excellent professionals such as journalist Laura Ramírez”.

He also stresses Europa Press’ wise decision to keep the same journalist specialising in religion for 16 years, as well as her professionalism, approachability, and closeness to different faiths, including evangelicals.

In the face of stigmas and negative labels, Tarquis believes that Ramírez “has maintained a neutral yet empathetic perspective based on an understanding of evangelical reality that goes beyond caricatures. This, combined with a personal approach and accessibility, has allowed us to recognise ourselves in the news articles she produces”.

A humanist journalist specialising in religious news

Born in 1987, Laura Ana Ramírez Sánchez graduated with a degree in Journalism from Carlos III University in Madrid. After completing an internship at the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, she joined the Europa Press news agency in 2010.

She has worked in the Society section there for the last sixteen years, as a religion news editor, as well as covering stories on NGOs, children, families, and dependency.

During this time, she has covered two conclaves and several papal visits, interviewed numerous religious and political leaders, and travelled to Africa and Central America to report on humanitarian projects. In 2019, she received the 10th Lolo Award for Young Journalists, presented by the Catholic Union of Reporters and Journalists of Spain (UCIPE).

The Unamuno Prize jury

The 'Unamuno, Friend of the Protestants Award' has been given since 2006 by a jury comprising the directors of Protestante Digital and the board of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance (AEE).  Protestante Digital is the leading evangelical news and opinion outlet in Spain, and one of the most-read media outlets with a Christian perspective in the Spanish-speaking world.

Founded 23 years ago, it attracts one million page views per month. Protestante Digital forms part of Areópago Protestante, a media platform under the umbrella of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance (AEE). Evangelical Focus is also a member of this media group. 

Miguel de Unamuno and the Protestants of his age

The name of the award refers to the close frienship between the renowned Spanish writer of the 20th century, Miguel de Unamuno and Atilano Coco, a Protestant pastor in the city of Salamanca.

Unamuno, who then was a distignuished academic, defended religious freedom during the Spanish Civil War, and did everything in his power to prevent (unsuccessfully) Coco from being executed by Francisco Franco’s regime.