The European Commission has indeed launched the seventeenth edition of the REGIOSTARS Awards, the competition that, since 2008, recognizes visibility to projects financed by European Cohesion Policy funds that point to new approaches and solutions in regional development and can inspire other regions across Europe to adopt solutions and good practices for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
Recalling Elisa Ferreira's statements at the 2023 edition, each year "REGIOSTARS awards show how Cohesion Policy projects transform local economies and people's lives in EU regions. They contribute to the harmonious territorial development of the Union, supporting economic growth, social innovation and helping to kick-start a greener, smarter and more technologically advanced future".
REGIOSTARS Awards 2024, how to participate
The awards planned for the 2024 edition cover five categories, in line with the five policy objectives of the Cohesion Policy 2021-27:
- Competitive and Smart Europe - A competitive and smart Europe
- Green Europe - A green Europe
- Connected Europe - A connected Europe
- Social and inclusive Europe - A social and inclusive Europe
- Europe closer to the citizens - A Europe closer to the Citizens
Once again this year, the rules do not change with reference to the selection procedure: a panel of experts, composed of a panel of high-level professors and academics in their respective fields, will evaluate the applications and choose the finalists who will be invited to participate in the final selection step during the European Week of Regions and Cities, to be held in Brussels between October 7 and 10.
As in previous years, the public will also be able to vote for their favorite finalist for the Public Choice Award. Up for grabs for the winners, announced at the same event, is a local communications campaign run in cooperation with the European Commission's DG REGIO to promote the award-winning activities in the region.
Nominations can be submitted until May 31, 2024 by all project promoters who have benefited from European Structural Funds funding, particularly ERDF, ESF, CF, JTF or Interreg programme resources.
Check out the summary sheet on the REGIOSTARS Awards 2024 competition.
