Europe Prize

The Council of Europe awarded Gdynia its highest distinction - the Europe Prize. Every year this award is granted to one city (exceptionally to two cities) whose actions of propagating the idea of European Unity deserve most recognition. The award consists of Itinerant Trophy given to the winner for a year, bronze medal, parchment letter of congratulation and a scholarship (7600 Euro) for financing a study visit for one or a few young people coming from the awarded city. Europe Prize was established in 1955 and since then it has been presented to many European cities, among which there were capitals or big cities such as Vienna, Hague in 1958, Istanbul in 1959, Berlin-Neukölln in 1987, Linz in 1994 or Bologna in 1995.

The Meeting of the Committee on Environment and Agriculture that functions in the structures of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly took place in April 2002. The Parliamentary Assembly consists of representatives of 44 countries. An unanimous decision to grant the EUROPE PRIZE to Gdynia in recognition of its active promotion of European integration idea was made at the meeting. The Prize to our city was awarded in recognition of involvement in international relations, mostly for establishment of Baltic Ring of Gdynia Sister Cities. Gdynia's activity in the international organisations, which contributed to the consequent promotion of modern and democratic Europe among the citizens, was also appreciated. The ceremony of awarding the Europa Prize was held in the Music Theatre in Gdynia on 28 September 2002. The Prize was presented by the Council of Europe reprezentative - Mrs. Johanna Schicker.



Among Polish cities that received this honourable distinction are:
1998 CZĘSTOCHOWA
2002 GDYNIA
2008 KATOWICE