Join us as we find out more about the European Enterprise Awards and the candidates hoping to be crowned winners.
The European Enterprise Awards were launched in November 2005 by the European Commission Vice-President Gunter Verheugen and recognise and reward outstanding initiatives that support entrepreneurship at the regional level.
The awards objectives are to:
• Identify and recognise successful activities and initiatives which promote enterprise and entrepreneurship
• Showcase and share examples of best entrepreneurship policies and practices.
• Increase awareness of the role entrepreneurs play in society
• Encourage and inspire potential entrepreneurs
The awards have five categories:
The Entrepreneurship Promotion Award recognises local, regional and national actions and initiatives which promote an entrepreneurial culture and encourage creativity, innovation and risk acceptance.
The Red-tape Reduction Award recognises measures that simplify legislation and administrative procedures at local, regional and national levels.
Enterprise Development Award recognises local, regional and national policies that promote enterprise, facilitate access to national and international markets and attract investment particularly in disadvantaged areas.
Investment in Skills Award recognises initiatives that improve entrepreneurial, vocational, technical and managerial skills at local and regional levels.
Responsible and Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award recognises local and regional actions that promote corporate social responsibility and sustainable business practices in the social and or environmental domain. This award also recognises efforts to promote entrepreneurship among disadvantaged groups such as unemployed, disabled or people from ethnic minorities.
The entry which is considered to be the most creative and inspiring entrepreneurship in Europe will also receive the Jury’s Grand prize.
Visit: ec.europa.eu/enterprise/entrepreneurship/smes/awards/press/download/all_candidates_090210.pdf
to view a full list of all 2008/09 candidates by category.
EnterpriseUpfront will endeavour to feature a selection of candidates in
future editions.
The 13 candidate regions short listed for the 2008 awards are: Belgium;
Finland; France; Germany; Hungary; Lithuania; Poland; Spain; Sweden; and
the UK.
Short listed region Belgium a hoping to impress the Jury with its team of entrepreneurship awareness-raising workers, Agence de Stimulation Economique ASE (Economic Stimulation Agency), Liege. Made up of teachers on secondment, this entrepreneurship awareness-raising team has enabled business, education and training representatives to speak with numerous schools throughout Wallonia.
Representing the UK the Scarborough Renaissance Partnership features amongst the 13 short listed candidates. The Partnership was also crowned UK capital of enterprise in 2008.
A full breakdown of short listed candidate regions is available from: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/entrepreneurship/smes/awards/press/index_en.htm