Now in its third edition, the “Presidents’ Award” aims to promote and support collaboration between Italian and German municipalities by recognising joint projects developed within the framework of twinning and partnership agreements.
Launched in September 2020 during the visit to Milan of German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and awarded for the first time in 2021, the award encourages the submission of projects designed to promote European integration, youth participation, intergenerational dialogue, civic engagement, sustainability, the culture of remembrance, and the creation of virtual and physical public spaces as places for exchange and interaction.
As in previous editions, a total financial allocation of €200,000 is confirmed, with awards of up to €50,000 per project, provided equally by the respective governments.
Upon the publication of the competition notice by the German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Italian President Sergio Mattarella invite German and Italian cities and municipalities to apply for the award, thereby contributing to further strengthening the numerous interpersonal and institutional contacts between the two countries. This initiative comes at a time when it is clear how important it is to nurture, even at the local level, all the mechanisms and activities that can support dialogue and European solidarity.
