LAV-Excellence Award

For more than a century, the Business Association for Latin America has been committed to promoting dialogue and diverse relations between Germany and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

With the LAV-Excellence Award, we want to highlight commitment. The award aims to focus attention on individuals and organizations whose ideas and actions make a special contribution to the success of the German-Latin American partnership.

These achievements can take many different forms. Some award winners create new economic opportunities by facilitating partnerships or driving innovation. Others promote social exchange or serve as role models through their personal commitment. The award aims to highlight these stories and offer recognition. It aims to honor people who build bridges where none existed before.

The “Bridge Builder” category is aimed at individuals, companies, institutions, or associations that make a special contribution to connecting Germany and Latin America or the Caribbean.

The award recognizes achievements that have created sustainable, effective, and visible relationships. These relationships may have had a positive impact on economic or social developments. In addition, nominees should demonstrate reliability, a sense of responsibility, and a commitment to partnership-based cooperation.

The award aims to highlight individuals and organizations whose projects contribute or have contributed to long-term partnerships. Their work should have a tangible impact and serve as an impetus for the future. The decisive factor is not the number of projects implemented, but their impact and sustainability. Quality over quantity.

• Individuals
• Companies
• Institutions
• Associations

Nationality is irrelevant. Nominations can be made from Germany as well as from all countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

An important criterion is that nominations must always be made by third parties. This is in line with the basic idea behind the award. True bridge builders are often recognized by others before they themselves take center stage. Self-nominations are therefore not permitted.

Nominations may be submitted from January 15, 2026, to May 31, 2026.

Submission
Documents should be sent by email to f.rennecke@lateinamerikaverein.de.

Required documents
Submitters are requested to provide a written justification of no more than two pages.
This should explain:

• what kind of bridge has been created,
• what positive effects this has had, and
• what significance the achievement has for future relations between Germany and Latin America.

Supporting materials may be included optionally. These include images, videos, press reports, social media posts, or other documents that further substantiate the nomination.

• First phase: Preselection
  A committee consisting of members of the Executive Board and the Presidium reviews all submitted documents.
  A shortlist is then compiled on this basis.
   
• Second phase: Final selection
  An independent jury consisting of recognized representatives from the fields of business, science, media, and politics decides on the winner.

The official announcement and presentation of the LAV Excellence Award in the “Bridge Builder” category will take place at the Latin America Day gala evening in November 2026. The award will be accompanied by extensive publicity on the association's communication channels, ensuring high public visibility.

The award does not come with a monetary prize. The focus is on recognizing outstanding achievements and the significance of these contributions for the future of relations between Germany and Latin America.