Amsterdam, 12 October

In 1985 some European institutions had a dream: to create an event that could familiarize Europeans with their own continent in all its diversity. Something with television – a prize. It took some time but after 2 years a competition was established looking for outstanding  tv programmes made by European regional or local tv stations. The dream had become a vision.

The driving force or rather the parents of the project: the Council of Europe and the European Cultural Foundation. They choose Amsterdam, Cultural Capital of Europe in 1987, to host the new-born prize in its first year and they found a perfect name for it - PRIX EUROPA. The first call for proposals was answered by 87 entries from 12 European countries.

On 12 October 1987 the first Prix Europa was awarded by HRH Princess Margriet of The Netherlands to a small Swedish television station near the Arctic Circle to the documentary "To live by the Sea“ .