Photojournalism 2nd place winner

As the European Union grows eastward, many children in Eastern Europe are left behind in their home countries while their parents go to Western Europe for better economic opportunities. These children are often cared for by grandparents or relatives, but they struggle with feelings of abandonment and insecurity. The distance from their parents strains family ties and leaves them longing for closeness, showing a difficult side of economic migration that isn't often discussed.

Marijn Fidder (b. 1997, The Netherlands) is a Dutch documentary photographer who focuses on current affairs and contemporary social issues. Her work has appeared in National Geographic Netherlands, CNN Style, NRC Handelsblad, Het Financieele Dagblad, Evangelische Omroep, GUP New Talent and Die Zeit, among others. She also makes commissioned work for NGOs and health care organizations. She works for Caritas International, Global Aid Network, EO Metterdaad, Dorcas, Red een Kind and others.

Awards and grants
2019 1st place award Hollandse Fotoprijs - Naughty Cells
2019 1st place award Zilveren Camera 'Documentary Photography' - Naughty Cells
2020 1st place award Wellcome Photography Prize 'Social Perspectives'
2021 1st place award National Geographic Fotowedstrijd 'Human'
2022 1st place award Moscow International Foto Awards 'self portrait'
2022 Grant Bijzondere Journalistieke Projecten - Inclusive Nation
2023 Grant Bijzondere Journalistieke Projecten - Left Behind
2024 1st place International Photography competition Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
2024 Global Peace Photo Award - Photo series and single images Inclusive Nation
2024 Barcelona International Photography Festival on Human Rights and Global Justice - Inclusive Nation​​