Annual Awards
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 are eligible to apply for awards. The awards will recognize achievements by sister city programs from the previous year.
The SCI Annual Awards feature multiple categories, including Best Overall, Innovation in Arts & Culture, Innovation in Business, Trade, and Professional Exchange, Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance, and Innovation in Youth and Education. Awards are presented based on population size, with winners recognized in the following brackets: under 25,000; 25,001–100,000; 100,001–300,000; and over 300,001. Additionally, awards are given for the “Tim Quigley” Volunteer of the Year and the Youth Leadership Award.
Recognition and Ceremony
Recipients of the Sister Cities International Annual Awards will be honored at the SCI Annual Awards Ceremony and Dinner, held during the SCI Summer Leadership Meetings.
Winning programs and individuals will also be recognized through:
- Sister Cities International’s website
- Social media platforms
- National and regional media outreach
Awards Given in The Following Categories
Organized by population
Best Overall
Recognizes sister city programs demonstrating outstanding achievement across all areas of citizen diplomacy. Programs exemplify excellence in fostering international relationships, cultural exchange, economic development, and community engagement.
Innovation in Arts & Culture
Honors significant contributions to cultural exchange through visual and performing arts, literature, music, and other cultural expressions. Programs demonstrate originality, inclusivity, and lasting community impact.
Innovation in Business, Trade, and Professional Exchange
Recognizes programs fostering economic development, business partnerships, trade opportunities, and professional collaboration. Initiatives display creativity, sustainability, and measurable economic and professional growth.
Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance
Celebrates programs addressing humanitarian needs, including disaster relief, healthcare, and social services. Winning initiatives demonstrate compassion, innovation, and measurable global impact.
Innovation in Youth and Education
Acknowledges programs that promote cross-cultural learning, leadership development, and youth engagement. Winning initiatives foster global understanding and prepare youth to lead in international affairs.
“Tim Quigley” Volunteer of the Year Award
Honors exceptional dedication, leadership, and service to sister city programs. Named after Tim Quigley, the award celebrates individuals strengthening international relationships, cultural understanding, and community engagement.
Youth Leadership Award
Recognizes outstanding leadership and initiative by a young individual within their sister city program. This award celebrates youth who foster global connections and inspire their peers to engage in international cooperation.
Past Award Winners
2025 Annual Awards
Innovation in Youth and Education
Greater than 300,001
Lexington Sister Cities
100,001-300,000
Tempe Sister Cities Youth Cultural Exchange
25,001-100,000
Corvallis Sister Cities Association – Gondar Council
Less than 25,000
Saluda Sister City
Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance
100,001-300,000
Cincinnati-Kharkiv Sister City Partnership
25,001-100,000
Issaquah, WA, Sister Cities Commission
Innovation in Business, Trade and Professional Exchange
Greater than 300,001
Fort Worth Sister Cities International
100,001-300,000
Owensboro Sister Cities and Regions
25,001-100,000
City of Santa Barbara Sister Cities
Innovation in Arts and Culture
Greater than 300,001
Musical Bridges Around the World & San Antonio Sister Cities
100,001-300,000
Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities
Less than 25,000
Sister Cities of Jasper
Best Overall
Greater than 300,001
San Antonio Sister Cities Program
100,001-300,000
City of Carmel Sister Cities
25,001-100,000
Hot Springs Sister City Program
"Tim Quigley" Volunteer of the Year Award
Dr. Nobutada Iwahashi
State Representative Distinguished Service Award
Lisa Keyes
2024 Annual Awards
Volunteer of the Year
Stephen “Tim” Quigley
Innovation in Youth and Education
Greater than 300,001
Fort Worth Sister Cities International
100,001-300,000
Tacoma Sister Cities and Fawcett Elementary School
25,001-100,000
Neighbors Abroad of Palo Alto and the City of Enschede
Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance
Greater than 300,001
Denver Sister Cities International
Innovation in Business, Trade and Professional Exchange
Greater than 300,001
San Antonio Sister Cities
100,001-300,000
Birmingham Sister Cities
25,001-100,000
Hot Springs Sister City Program
Less than 25,000
Aspen Sister Cities
San Antonio Sister Cities
Innovation in Arts and Culture
Greater than 300,001
Sister Cities of Nashville
Less than 25,000
La Cañada Flintridge Sister Cities Association
Best Overall
Greater than 300,001
Lexington Sister Cities
25,001-100,000
Highland Park Illinois Sister Cities Foundation
Less than 25,000
Hermosa Beach Sister City Association
2023 Annual Awards
Volunteer of the Year
Jeannet Kiessling [Palo Alto, California]
Innovation in Youth and Education
Greater than 300,001
Greater Columbus Sister Cities International
100,001-300,000
Owensboro Sister Cities and Regions, Inc.
Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance
Greater than 300,001
Houston Karachi Sister City Association – Tree Plantation Drive
100,001-300,000
Owensboro Sister Cities and Regions, Inc.
Less than 25,000
Sonoma Sister Cities Association – Sonoma/Kaniv, Ukraine Committee
Innovation in Business, Trade and Professional Exchange
Greater than 300,001
Fort Worth Sister Cities International
100,001-300,000
Djenane S. Gourgue, Lauderhill Sister City – Oakland Park, Florida
Innovation in Arts and Culture
Greater than 300,001
Denver Sister Cities International
100,001-300,000
Roanoke Valley Sister Cities
Roanoke, Virginia
25,001-100,000
Mayan Medina Bee Sanctuary [Asheville, North Carolina]
Best Overall
Over 300,001 Tie between
San Antonio Sister Cities Program, City of San Antonio
Fort Worth Sister Cities International
25,001-100,000
Prescott Sister City Association Caborca Committee
2022 Annual Awards
Volunteer of the Year
Brenda Frinks, Jacksonville Sister Cities
Innovation in Youth and Education
Greater than 300,001
Fort Worth Sister Cities International
100,001-300,000
Sister Cities Association of Pittsburgh
25,001-100,000
De Pere Sister Cities International
Less that 25,000
Saluda Sister City
Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance
Greater than 300,001
International Relations Council of Riverside
100,001-300,000
Richmond-Windhoek Sister Cities International
Less than 25,000
Neighbors Abroad
Innovation in Business, Trade and Professional Exchange
Greater than 300,001
Greater Columbus Sister Cities International
100,001-300,000
Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International
Innovation in Arts and Culture
Greater than 300,001
Seattle Sister Cities Association
100,001-300,000
Cincinnati-Nancy Sister City Association
25,001-100,000
Longmont Sister Cities Association
Less than 25, 000
Laguna Beach Sister Cities Association
Best Overall
Over 300,001
Phoenix Sister Cities
100,001-300,000
Lexington Sister Cities Commission
25,001-100,000
Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation
2020 Annual Awards
Volunteer of the Year
Mary Blankenship Pointer, Oklahoma City OK
Innovation in Youth and Education
Greater than 100,001
Indianapolis, IN
25,001-100,000
Santa Fe, NM
Less that 25,000
La Canada Flintridge, CA
Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance
Tacoma, WA
Innovation in Arts and Culture
Greater than 100,001
Greater Columbus Sister Cities, OH
25,001-100,000
Redlands, CA
Less than 25, 000
Sister Cities of Jasper, IN
Best Overall
Over 300,001
Ft. Worth, TX
100,001-300,000
Tacoma, WA
50,001-100,000
South San Francisco, CA
Less than 50, 000
Hot Springs, AR