In 2010, the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies will inaugurate the first 'European Architecture Prize'

The selected architect given The European Architecture Prize is honored each year in a ceremony in one of Europe’s prized landmarks thereby continuing Europe ’s rich heritage and tradition in the history of architecture.Over the years,each ceremony venue will become a virtual pan-European grand tour of Europe’s most important landmarks from over many centuries.The ceremony venues are chosen by The European Centre each year before the Laureate is selected so there is no intended connection between the two.A banquet honors the Laureate and is attended by dignitaries of European government, corporate business, useums nd nstitutions, rofessional ocieties nd ssociations, nd international press.An exhibition of the selected Laureate is organized for travel inside The European Union and to other international destinations as a public education component devised to educate the general public about the importance of great architecture and how significant architecture can positively impact European cities and urban/rural environments.The exhibition also educates the general public about contemporary architecture as one of Europe’s most prominent cultural achievements.Laureates will be invited to give public presentations,as well as to ocmment on important design,environmental and urban issues facing Europe today,and to visit the European public community at large as a cultural Ambassador.A monograph accompanies the annual exhibition.

EUROPE 40 UNDER 40In order to encourage the next generation of architectural practitioners, the European  Centre will also announce the winning young architects selected for The European Centre’s annual "Europe 40 under 40" program just days after the official announcement of The European Prize.'Europe 40 Under 40' is The European Centre’s annual awards program designed to celebrate the next new talented generation of European architects. The program is directed to support new and emerging design talent that will influence the near future of European architectural design, thinking, and theory with the direct result of impacting future environments and future European and international cities. The key is to bring wider recognition to 40 of the most promising emerging architects working in the European Union and other countries inside Europe, fostering and encouraging new talent and new creative thinking at the forefront of the profession today.Each year, young architects who are citizens of the 27 European Union nations and the member countries of Norway, Switzerland, Russia, Turkey, Liechtenstein, Albania, Monaco, Andorra, Serbia, Montenegro, Georgia, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldavia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Canary Islands, Faeroe Islands, San Marino and Iceland are invited to participate.A jury of distinguished international architects, critics, journalists and educators review the submissions and select the 40 young architects based on their professional achievements and submitted designs.In 2010 the jury took place in Madrid, Spain.Together with the Architect Laureate,the 40 designated young architects also will be honored at the ceremony for The European Prize and are invited to the annual banquet.
The exhibition of “Europe 40 Under 40 ” will also accompany the exhibition of the Architect Laureate on its tour to European cities.