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 in 2022.

Winners were announced at the Annual Business Meeting on July 28, 2023, and are being highlighted on Sister Cities International’s website, social media, and in national and regional press outreach.

The SCI Annual Awards offer several categories of awards (organized by population), including Best Overall, Innovation in Arts & Culture, Innovation in Business, Trade, and Professional Exchange, Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance, and Innovation in Youth and Education. Additionally, an Annual Award is given for Volunteer of the Year and one for Youth Leadership.