The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in partnership with the British Council, is launching a literature prize that will be granted to this year’s best work of literary fiction from the Bank’s countries of operations translated into English. The prize aims to “recognise and promote the extraordinary richness, depth and variety of culture and history in the countries where the Bank invests. The award aims to underscore the importance of writers in reflecting the aspirations and challenges facing people across these regions.” The first prize is worth EUR 20,000, to be split between the winning author and translator. Two runners-up and their translators will receive EUR 1,000 each. EBRD says “submission may only be made by UK-based publishers for books translated for the first time in the period between 1 October 2016 and 30 September 2017.”