Tirana/Sarajevo – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), in partnership with the Ministry of European and International Affairs of Austria, invites media representatives to attend the ceremony announcing the winner of the Champion of Regional Cooperation Dr Erhard Busek Award for 2024, which will take place on 15 June 2025, at 17:00 in Tirana. 

The event will be opened by RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanović and the Austrian Ambassador to Albania, Monika Zach.

The Champion of Regional Cooperation Award was established by the RCC in 2013 to honour outstanding contributions to advancing regional cooperation in South East Europe, guided by European values and principles. Since 2022, the award proudly bears the name of the late Dr Erhard Busek, former Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe and a dedicated advocate of the region’s European integration.
The award celebrates individuals or organisations whose work fosters regional cooperation, development, dialogue, and connectivity—contributing to a more cohesive and inclusive South East Europe.

Previous laureates of the award include You Are a Sunflower Foundation, Sarajevo Film Festival, EXIT Festival, and Youth Sports Games, among others—all recognised for building bridges across the region through culture, sport, and civic engagement.

The winner of the 2024 edition will be announced during the ceremony and will receive a financial award of EUR 10,000, sponsored by the Ministry of European and International Affairs of Austria.