Today the European Commission launched the 2019 edition of the European Enterprise Promotion Awards, a competition to reward the top European initiatives from public bodies and public-private partnerships that promote entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises in Europe.
Nominations for the 2019 competition cycle are now open and national competitions will soon be launching across EU Member States as well as Iceland, Serbia, Turkey and Montenegro. Each participating state will then select two national winners before the European deadline of 3 July, to compete at European level.
Projects will be competing across six different categories that recognise different aspects of helping and advocating for entrepreneurs and SMEs. The top accolade that a competing project can receive is the Grand Jury Prize, which is awarded by the jury to the most outstanding of initiatives.
The 2019 active categories are as follows:
- Promoting entrepreneurial spirit
- Investing in skills
- Improving the business environment
- Supporting the internationalisation of businesses
- Supporting the development of green markets and resource efficiency
- Responsible and inclusive entrepreneurship.
How to participate:
The competition has two stages; applicants first compete nationally before two national winners are selected as nominations for the European competition. A shortlist of nominees will then be selected by the European jury in September 2019 and published the following day. All shortlisted nominees from both the national and European competitions will receive invitations to the Awards Ceremony at the 2019 SME Assembly on 26 November in Helsinki.
Background:
Since 2006, the European Enterprise Promotion Awards have rewarded excellence in promoting entrepreneurship and small business at a national, regional and local level. Over 4 000 projects have entered since the awards were launched and together have supported the creation of over 10 000 new companies. The Awards’ objectives are to recognise successful activities and initiatives to promote enterprise and entrepreneurship, showcase and share examples of best entrepreneurship policies and practices, create a greater awareness of the role entrepreneurs play in European society, and encourage and inspire potential entrepreneurs.
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