Established by the Caja Laboral savings bank and the General Secretariat for Foreign Action of the Basque Governemt, the Universal Basque award is a mark of distinction given to any people, associations, groups and bodies in the Basque Country whose work during the year, or throughout their entire professional careers or personal lives, has helped to improve the image of the Basque Country abroad.

Awarded:

2010 Edurne Pasaban
2009 Javier Aguirresarobe y Mikel Urmeneta
2008 Juan María Arzak
2007 Museo Guggenheim de Bilbao
2006 Editorial Auñamendi Argitaletxea
2005 Joaquín Achucarro
2004 Joane Somarriba
2003 Ainhoa Arteta y Martin Ugalde
2002 Xabier de Irala
2001 Pablo Mandazen “Hermano Ginés”
2000 Juan Oiartzabal y Jon Sobrino S.J.
1999 Pedro Miguel Etxenike
1998 Orfeón Donostiarra y Jorge Oteiza
1997 Monseñor Laboa y Eduardo Chillida