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2020 Annual Awards Winners

Innovation in Arts and Culture

Population > 100,000

  • Greater Columbus Sister Cities, OH

Population 25,000 – 100,000

  • Redlands, CA

Population < 25,000

  • Sister Cities of Jasper, IN
Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance
  • Tacoma, WA

Innovation in Youth & Education

Population > 100,000

  • Indianapolis, IN

Population 25,000 – 100,000

  • Santa Fe, NM

Population < 25,000

  • La Canada Flintridge, CA

Best Overall

Population < 50,000

  • Hot Springs, AR

Population 50,000 – 100,000

  • South San Francisco, CA

Population 100,000 – 300,000

  • Tacoma, WA

Population > 300,000

  • Ft. Worth, TX

Youth Leadership Award: Will Lourcey, Ft. Worth TX


Volunteer of the Year: Mary Blankenship Pointer, Oklahoma City OK

Annual Awards on Display

2020 Annual Awards applications are now open!

The Annual Awards Program highlights sister city program achievements and brings international recognition to each community’s contributions to the citizen diplomacy movement. Sister Cities International established the Annual Awards Program in 1962 to recognize exceptional sister city programs. Current dues-paying members of Sister Cities International with at least one formally recognized sister city partnership can apply for awards. Winners are highlighted on Sister Cities International’s website, social media network, in national and regional press outreach, as well as during the Annual Conference, being held virtually in 2020. THE 2020 ANNUAL AWARDS APPLICATION WINDOW WILL CLOSE JUNE 1, 2020 AT 11:59 PM ET. Please read the eligibility and rules and regulations carefully before applying. There is no application fee to nominate your program for the Annual Awards. For any questions, email [email protected].
Award applications are open in the following categories: Best Overall, Innovation (Arts & Culture; Business, Trade and Professional Exchange; Humanitarian Assistance; Youth); Volunteer of the Year; and Youth Leadership. To be considered for an award, all entries must be received by June 1, 2020. Please read the eligibility and rules and regulations before applying.
  • Eligibility
    All applicants must be an exemplary model of a sister city program and must meet the following criteria:
    • Be a current dues-paying member of Sister Cities International;
    • Have at least one formally recognized sister city partnership;
    • Submit entries for programs that were conducted during 2019 only; and
    • Must not have won in the same category in the previous awards cycle.
    The Nominator for the Volunteer of the Year must meet the following criteria:
    • Be from a current dues-paying member of Sister Cities International;
    • Be actively involved in the local sister city program; and
    • Local program must not have won in the Volunteer of the Year/Youth Leadership Award category in the previous awards cycle.
    The Nominee for the Volunteer of the Year Award must be an exemplary model of a sister cities program volunteer and meet the following criteria:
    • Be from a current dues-paying member of Sister Cities International;
    • Be actively involved in the local sister city program.
  • Rules and Regulations
    • Awards are based on achievements made in 2019.
    • All applicants must answer all questions on the application form.
    • If entering your program in more than one category, please complete and submit a separate word document for EACH category.
  • Submission Requirements
    • Please email your answers in a word document, along with photos, to [email protected].
    • All entries must be received by June 1, 2020. Applications received after that date will not be accepted. No exceptions!
    • Please note that incomplete applications will not be accepted.
  • Evaluating Your Entry
    • A panel of judges with experience in international affairs and sister city programs will review all entries and select award recipients.
    • Judges must be able to clearly understand the goals and accomplishments of your local program.
    • Tell your story as though you are presenting your entry to a person who is unfamiliar with your program. Please be mindful of the word limit on the program narrative statements.
    • Judges will convene to review all eligible entries and make final decisions.
    • Judges reserve the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the eligibility criteria.
    • All participants will be notified of the results in writing.
    NOTE: Supplemental materials may be required ONLY if your entry is selected as the winner. These may include additional photographs, newspaper articles, and press releases of the highlights for the sister city program. You will receive a submission confirmation via email within 2-3 days of receipt. If you do not receive a confirmation from us, please email [email protected].

Award Application Categories

For any questions, email [email protected].
  • Best Overall Awards
    Deadline: June 1, 2020. The Best Overall Program Awards recognize sister city programs that demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in advancing the goals and mission of the sister cities movement. This award recognizes the overall program, including all sister city partnerships and affiliations. Awards are presented to five communities according to population size.
    • Population of less than 25,000
    •  Population of 25,001 – 50,000
    • Population of 50,001 – 100,000
    • Population of 100,001 – 300,000
    • Population greater than 300,001
    Download Best Overall Application
  • Innovation Awards
    Deadline: June 1, 2020. The Innovation Awards recognize the accomplishments of outstanding community and individual sister city programs that promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation in the categories of Arts and Culture; Business, Trade and Professional Exchange; Humanitarian Assistance; and Youth and Education. Innovation Category: Arts and Culture
    • Population of less than 25,000
    • Population of 25,001 – 100,000
    • Population greater than 100,001
    Business, Trade and Professional Exchange
    • Population of less than 25,000
    • Population of 25,001 – 100,000
    • Population greater than 100,001
    Humanitarian Assistance
    • Population of less than 25,000
    • Population of 25,001 – 100,000
    • Population greater than 100,001
    Youth and Education
    • Population of less than 25,000
    • Population of 25,001 – 100,000
    • Population greater than 100,001
    Download Innovation Application
  • Volunteer of the Year Award
    Deadline: June 1, 2020. The Volunteer of the Year Award honors one exemplary volunteer for contributions to the sister city movement. It recognizes the leadership and talent that benefit local sister city programs and the larger sister city network. The Volunteer of the Year award winner will receive complimentary registration to the 2020 Annual Conference and Meeting. Download Volunteer of the Year Application
  • Youth Leadership Award
    Deadline: June 1, 2020. The Youth Leadership Award honors one exemplary youth (18 years and under) for contributions to the sister cities movement. It recognizes the leadership and talent that benefit local sister city programs and the larger sister cities network. The Youth award winner will receive complimentary registration to the 2020 Youth Leadership Summit. Download Youth Leadership Application
2017 Annual Awards Winners accepting their award
Click on the dates below to see the Annual Awards Winners from previous years. 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007