Despite being mostly distributed in Catalonia, La Vanguardia has Spain's fourth-highest circulation among general-interest newspapers, trailing only the three main Madrid dailies – El País, El Mundo and ABC, all of which are national newspapers with offices and local editions throughout the country.

It retains Catholic sensibilities and strong ties to the Spanish nobility through the Godó family.

La Vanguardia's newspaper history began in Barcelona on 1 February 1881[3][4] when two businessmen from Igualada, Carlos and Bartolomé Godó, first published the paper.

It was defined as a Diario político de avisos y notícias (Political Newspaper of Announcements and News), intended as a means of communication for a faction of the Liberal Party that wanted to gain control over the Barcelona city council.

It is one of the oldest papers in Spain, and is the only Catalan newspaper that has survived all the Spanish regime changes, from the restoration of Alfonso XII to the 21st century.

The awards aim to recognise the work of organisations and people who are high achievers in the social, economic, political, or cultural fields.

The jury consists of a number of prominent people, along with members of La Vanguardia editorial staff.

The inaugural awards were presented at the National Museum of Art of Catalonia in Barcelona in 2023, and attended by the King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain.