The prize was founded in 2003 by the Universities of Greifswald and Szczecin and the newspapers Kurier Szczecísnki (Szczecin) and Nordkurier (Neubrandenburg). In 2009, the town of Greifswald and city of Szczecin joined the group of donors. The prize money amounts to € 3,000.

This biannual award is awarded to personalities from the areas of art, science, economics or politics who have made outstanding contributions to the West Pomeranian Voivodeship and Vorpommern and have thus promoted the German-Polish dialogue. The prizewinners to date are Prof. Dr. h.c. mult. Berthold Beitz (2003), Prof. Krzysztof Skubiszewski (2005), Janina Jasnowska (Szczecin) and Prof. Dr. Michael Succow (Greifswald, both 2007), Prof. Dr. Władysław Filipowiak (2009), the organisers of the Polish cultural festival “PolenmARkT” (Greifswald, 2011), the Polish conductor, teacher and former Director of the Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle Szczecin, Prof. Dr. hab. Eugeniusz Kus (2013) and Professor Norbert Hosten from Greifswald (Greifswald, 2015).

A committee is formed from members of the group of donors before the respective prize is awarded; this suggests candidates and makes the final decision. Both of the participating universities ensure the necessary funds for the committee to meet for consultation.