27/1/2014 - 2014 European Enterprise Promotion Awards launch

Today the European Commission launched the 2014 edition of the European Enterprise Promotion Awards, a competition to reward the most imaginative and successful initiatives from EU public bodies and public-private partnerships which support entrepreneurship, and small and medium sized enterprises in particular. The national level competition starts now, and in May the country winners will be selected to compete at international level. Participants' ultimate aim is to win a Grand Jury Prize in Naples in October.

European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, said: "Five years on from the implementation of the EU's Small Business Act we can see SMEs have come a long way, but we still have work to do. Highlighting these success stories of entrepreneurship promotion helps inspire European public bodies and public private partnerships to be more business-focused and business-friendly.We look forward to seeing what exciting and innovative projects are put forward by 2014 entries to the European Enterprise Promotion Awards."

How to participate

For more information on the European Enterprise Promotion Awards, visit the website, follow the Awards on Twitter in English, French, Spanish, Italian or German or visit the official Awards Facebook page.

The six entry categories are:

• 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.

Competition stages

The competition has two stages; applicants must first compete at the national level and will then be eligible to compete at the European level. For the national competition, each country will select two entries to be nominated for the European competition by May 2014.

A shortlist of nominees will be chosen by the European jury. All nominees from the national and European competitions will be invited to attend the Awards ceremony, which recognises the winners for their efforts and gives them the opportunity to present themselves in a pan-European environment. Winners will receive their prizes during a ceremony at the 2014 SME Assembly in Naples, Italy, on 2-3 October.

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 2 500 projects have entered since the awards were launched and together they have supported the creation of well over 10 000 new companies. Its objectives are to identify and recognise successful activities and initiatives undertaken 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.

Watch a video of 2013 Grand Jury Prize Winner, Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

More information on all of the 2013 winners

Contacts :
Carlo Corazza (+32 2 295 17 52) Twitter: @ECspokesCorazza
Sara Tironi (+32 2 299 04 03)