Photographic associations promote and develop the cultural heritage of photography in all its facets. They examine photo competitions and can award a special seal of approval, the so-called patronage.

The German Association for Photography and the Austrian Association of Photography support the CEWE Photo Award with their patronage for the third time in a row.

In addition to these, the CEWE Photo Award is receiving support from photo associations from other European countries for the first time this year: Norway, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Romania, Croatia and Slovakia have also transferred their patronage seal to the international photo competition.