Fourteen projects have been shortlisted for the 2012 European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA). Over 402 projects competed in this years national competitions for a chance to enter. Slightly more than in 2011, the Awards also received entries from a record-breaking 30 European countries – all 27 EU Member States as well as Croatia, Serbia and Turkey. A high-level jury representing business, government and academia reviewed the 57 national winner entries and established a shortlist of 14 nominees in five categories. The winners for each of the five categories will be announced at the first ever SME Assembly on 15 November 2012 in Cyprus, to which all nominees will be invited. One project will also receive the prestigious Grand Jury Prize.
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Over 402 projects competed in this year’s national competitions for a chance to enter the European Awards. The Awards received entries from a record-breaking 30 European countries: all 27 EU Member States as well as Croatia, Serbia and Turkey. A high-level jury representing business, government and academia reviewed the 57 national winner entries and established a shortlist of 14 nominees in five categories.
Category 1: Promoting the Entrepreneurial Spirit
Belgium: Supporting pre-start-ups in Flanders to create over 200 new businesses.
Cyprus: Boosting women’s entrepreneurship from 10% to near 30% in 10 years by providing easy access to financing through a cooperative bank set up by female entrepreneurs.
Netherlands: ‘Growing’ the spirit of enterprise in children aged 10-12.
UK: Raising aspiration for enterprise among hard-to-reach groups; creating 890 jobs through grassroots engagement.
Category 2: Investing in Skills
France: ‘PROGRESS’ for the social and solidarity economy, resulting in the creation of 880 jobs.
Sweden: Fostering a digital visualisation cluster and entrepreneurship in a small rural military town.
Category 3: Improving the Business Environment
Denmark: Assisting businesses in crisis by supporting entrepreneurs with their business needs.
Estonia: e-Annual reporting, leading to savings of over 4.5 million.
Italy: Tackling difficulties faced by SMEs in urban areas by providing access to advice or funding to over 200 businesses.
Category 4: Supporting the Internationalisation of Business
Portugal: Cooperating to develop a brand and bring Douro wines to the world.
Slovakia: Supporting women entrepreneurs to work cross border by offering resources and best practice exchange.
Category 5: Responsible and Inclusive Entrepreneurship:
Turkey: Supporting disabled people in the workplace by providing job training and a mentor programme.
Luxembourg: Recognising commitment to socially responsible business.
Lithuania: Establishing a unified approach to CSR by offering training and support to over 500 SMEs
Background
Since 2006, the European Enterprise Awards has rewarded excellence in promoting entrepreneurship and small business at a national, regional and local level. 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 society and encourage and inspire potential entrepreneurs.
Full information about the awards, the jury and its collaborators
Source: European Commission
