Celebrating Excellence in Rural Tourism
Suncokret ruralnoga turizma – The Sunflower Award is an annual national and international award dedicated to recognizing, promoting, and celebrating outstanding projects, initiatives, organizations, and individuals contributing to the development of rural tourism in Croatia and abroad.
The award is organized by the Croatian Association for Tourism and Rural Development “The Village Membership Club” (Klub članova Selo), with the aim of encouraging excellence, entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability, and the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage of rural areas.
Through its international dimension, The Sunflower International Award, the initiative brings together outstanding examples of rural tourism from different countries, encouraging international cooperation, the exchange of knowledge and experience, and the promotion of sustainable rural development.
The award highlights the importance of rural communities, local traditions, authentic tourism experiences, and innovative approaches that contribute to the attractiveness and competitiveness of rural destinations.
Who Can Participate?
The Sunflower International Award welcomes international projects, organizations, businesses, and individuals whose work contributes to the preservation, promotion, and sustainable development of rural areas.
Eligible candidates include family farms, rural accommodation providers, wineries, traditional gastronomy providers, small producers, tourism organizations, museums, cultural institutions, associations, local communities, entrepreneurs, and organizers of tourism projects and events.
International candidates may be nominated by relevant regional and local authorities, tourism organizations, chambers, institutions, and other eligible organizations, in accordance with the official Award Regulations.
Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements established by the Regulations, including appropriate legal registration where applicable and a demonstrated contribution to rural tourism and rural development.
Award Categories
Each year, applicants are evaluated and selected in the following 18 categories:
- Tourist Farm Households
- Traditional Rural Households
- Modern Rural Households
- Traditional Rural Gastronomy
- Wine Tourism
- Small Family Producers – Craft Tourism
- Beekeeping Tourism (Api-tourism)
- Active Tourism Experiences in Rural Areas
- Rural Tourism Projects
- Museums, Interpretation Centers, Visitor Centers and Ethnographic Collections
- Cultural and Historical Events
- Gastronomic Events
- Outdoor Tourism and Active Tourism Events
- Women in Rural Tourism – Rural European Women
- Innovative Presentation of Rural Identity
- Accessible Tourism and Rural Community Empowerment
- Identity and a New Beginning – Award for Croatians Living Abroad, Croatian Returnees and Immigrants
- Projects and Producers with Protected Designations and Quality Labels
The newly introduced Identity and a New Beginning category is dedicated to Croatians living abroad, Croatian returnees, immigrants, and their families who contribute to the preservation of Croatian identity, traditions, and cultural heritage through entrepreneurship, tourism, agriculture, and other initiatives that support the revitalization of rural communities.
In addition to the regular categories, the Evaluation Committee may grant special awards recognizing exceptional contributions to rural tourism, smart rural communities, and rural tourism development.
How to Apply
Applications for The Sunflower International Award are submitted through the online application form available on this website.
To participate, applicants should:
- Choose the appropriate category that best represents the nominated project, business, initiative, or individual.
- Complete the online application form, providing the required information about the candidate, organization, and project.
- Upload five representative photographs illustrating the nominated project, facility, product, service, or activity.
- Include additional supporting materials, if available, such as a direct link to a promotional video published on YouTube or Vimeo.
- Submit the completed application within the deadline specified in the official call for applications.
A separate application form is required for each nominated candidate or project.
Depending on the nature of the application, additional documentation, such as registration certificates, promotional materials, media coverage, and other relevant references, may be requested during the evaluation process.
Applicants are encouraged to provide clear and detailed descriptions of their projects, highlighting their originality, achievements, contribution to the local community, and role in sustainable rural tourism development.
Evaluation and Selection
All eligible applications are reviewed and evaluated by a professional Evaluation Committee, in accordance with the official Award Regulations.
The evaluation takes into consideration the quality and authenticity of the tourism offer, preservation of cultural and natural heritage, innovation, sustainability, business achievements, cooperation with local communities, and overall contribution to rural tourism development.
The evaluation process may include an assessment of submitted documentation, a review of the candidate's activities and achievements, and on-site visits where applicable.
The most successful candidates in each category are recognized with the following awards:
- Golden Sunflower Award – First Place
- Silver Sunflower Award – Second Place
- Bronze Sunflower Award – Third Place
The Evaluation Committee may also grant special recognitions to projects and individuals demonstrating exceptional achievements.
Award winners are publicly presented and recognized at the official award ceremony, which brings together tourism professionals, institutions, rural entrepreneurs, and representatives of the international rural tourism community.
Why Apply?
Participating in The Sunflower International Award offers an opportunity to gain international recognition, increase the visibility of successful projects, and present innovative and sustainable rural tourism practices to a wider audience.
The award also encourages networking, knowledge exchange, and cooperation among rural tourism stakeholders from different countries.
By participating, candidates become part of an international initiative dedicated to preserving rural heritage, supporting local communities, and promoting rural tourism as an important driver of sustainable economic and social development.
Apply for The Sunflower International Award 2026
Are you contributing to the development of rural tourism through an innovative project, authentic tourism experience, traditional product, cultural initiative, or sustainable business?
We invite you to share your achievements and become part of The Sunflower International Award 2026!
Please review the official Award Regulations, select the appropriate category, and complete the online application form below.
APPLICATION FORM
For additional information regarding international applications, eligibility requirements, and the selection process, please contact:
Croatian Association for Tourism and Rural Development “The Village Membership Club”
Website: www.suncokret.hr
Together, we celebrate the people, projects, and traditions that shape the future of rural tourism.