The European Commission launched the 16th edition of REGIOSTARS awards competition that rewards the best projects financed under Cohesion Policy each year.
Beneficiaries of all Cohesion Policy-funded projects, including those from the European Social Fund (Plus), are encouraged to submit their applications.
This year there is a category dedicated to the European of Year of Skills 2023, which provides additional opportunities for ESF and/or ESF+ supported projects to win the awards. Last year the second place of the 15-anniversary REGIOSTARS awards went to the ESF-supported ‘E-Schools Pilot Project’ in Croatia.
Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira said: "The REGIOSTARS awards show how Cohesion Policy projects transform local economies and lives of people in EU regions. They contribute to harmonious territorial development of the Union by supporting economic growth, highlighting social innovation and help kick-start a greener, smarter and technologically more advanced future. 2023 is the Year of Skills, and REGIOSTARS will reward the best Cohesion projects, which help to up-and reskill Europe’s workforce to help them deal with the challenges that Europe is facing today. I encourage projects promoters from all EU regions to apply for the competition."
The competition will be open until 31 May 2023 with applications invited in six thematic categories:
- a competitive and smart Europe;
-
a green Europe;
-
a connected Europe;
-
a social and inclusive Europe;
-
a Europe closer to the Citizens;
-
and the topic of the European Year of Skills 2023.
The public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite finalist for the "Public Choice Award".
An independent jury of high-level experts will select the winners.
The Awards will be announced during the REGIOSTARS ceremony in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on 16 November 2023.
Since 2008, the REGIOSTARS competition awards the best Cohesion-funded projects that demonstrate excellence and new approaches in regional development.
All details of the competition are available here.
