Enlarged Partial Agreement of Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe: Awards to Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme
Paestum “Mario Napoli” Award
On 1 November 2025, the the European Institute of Cultural Routes was honoured with the 2025 Paestum “Mario Napoli” Award
The awards ceremony took place during the the 27th Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism conference in Salerno, Italy. Irena Guidikova, Head of the Department of Democratic Institutions and Freedoms of the Council of Europe, participated as a speaker and accepted the price on behalf of the Institute.
The Award was established in 2005 in the name of “Paestum” and from 2018, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the Tomb of the Diver, named after Mario Napoli (archaeologist and scholar of Magna Graecia). It is assigned to personalities and organizations that contribute, with their commitment, to intercultural dialogue, the enhancement of cultural heritage, the promotion of archaeological tourism.
In 2021, the BMTA also launched a project aimed at certifying Mediterranean underwater archaeological sites within the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme. The initiative stems from the observation that there are still very few underwater archaeological itineraries or sites that are equipped and accessible to the public, both in Italy and across the Mediterranean.
XXIXe prix international Grupo Compostela–Xunta de Galicia
The awards ceremony took place at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro in Vila Real during the XXXI General Assembly of the Compostela Group of Universities. Rui Gomes, Director of the European Institute of Cultural Routes accepted the price on behalf of the Institute.
Established in 1996 by the Compostela Group of Universities in collaboration with the Regional Government of Galicia, the international prize honours individuals and institutions that strengthen the European dimension in education, culture, society, and politics. It also celebrates efforts to promote European unity and safeguard the cultural legacy of the Camino de Santiago.
In a gesture of solidarity, the prize money will be used to support Ukraine’s participationin the Cultural Routes programme, reinforcing the Council of Europe’s commitment to inclusivity and cultural resilience in times of crisis and war.
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Carlos V European Award
On 9 May 2019, the Carlos V European Award was granted to the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme
The European and Ibero-American Academy of Yuste granted the XIII Carlos V European Award for the first time to a European initiative, the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.
The Carlos V European Award honours people, organisations, projects or initiatives that contribute “to the enhancement of Europe’s cultural and historical values”.
His Majesty the King of Spain presented the prize to the Council of Europe´s Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland in conjunction with the Europe Day during a ceremony at the Royal Monastery of Yuste.
RNE, Las mañanas de RNE con Íñigo Alfonso – Cuarta hora (Radio interview with the Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and Director of the European Institute of Cultural Routes Stefano DOMINIONI), 9 May 2019 (in Spanish)
TV
RTVE, Europa 2019 (Special TV report with interview of the Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and Director of the European Institute of Cultural Routes Stefano DOMINIONI), 10 May 2019 (video min. 13:45 in Spanish)
Canal Extremadura, Especial Premio Europeo Carlos V (Special TV report on the Prize award), 9 May 2019 (video h. 3: 32:52 in Spanish)
RTVE, Audiencia Abierta (News report on the Prize award), 11 May 2019 (video min. 31:04 in Spanish)
