The EBU Award was established in 1996 to honour outstanding contributions on the part of an individual or institution supporting or defending public serviceasting. It is presented to those “whose actions or achievements have reinforced the values, enshrined in the EBU Statutes, of solidarity among human beings, the diversity of peoples and the freedoms of conscience, opinion and impression”.

The Award - in the form of a glass sculpture by WojciechMucha (Daum France) - has been presented four times: in 1996 to Juan Antonio Samaranch (then president of the International Olympic Committee); in 1998 to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in December (for its annual New Year Concert); in 2000 to Albert Scharf, for his contribution to public service broadcasting as president of the EBU for 18 years; and on 28 September 2002 to Lennart Johansson, president of the European Football Association (UEFA).