Winners of the Michael Dower Award 2025

This year, for the first time, the winners of the Michael Dower Award were honoured on the occasion of the 6th European Rural Parliament in Inverurie, Scotland.

While Marta Marczis, member of the Award Steering Group and President of AEIDL, guided the ceremony, Hannes Lorenzen, President of ARC2020 and co-founder of Forum Synergies, introduced the audience to the person behind the name — Michael Dower — with a heartwarming and humorous speech that truly honoured his personality, his tremendous work, and his meaningful legacy.

Forum Synergies warmly congratulates the winners and all finalists, wishing them every success on their continued journey towards strengthening rural resilience.

Winner in the individual category

Vasilis Kostakis, Greece

Winner in the community initiative category

KNOYDART, Scotland

Get more info

Find more information about the Michael Dower Award and all the other finalists on the Michael Dower Award website