Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for Regional Policy and Luc Van den Brande, former Committee of the Regions President have announced the winners of the prestigious RegioStars 2014 Awards to Europe’s most promising and innovative regional projects. In this 7th edition of RegioStars the Jury singled out 19 shortlisted finalists from 80 projects on the basis of four key criteria: innovation, impact, sustainability and partnership. 4 projects outshone the competition: in Paredes (North Portugal), Cornwall (UK), West Wales and the Valleys (UK) and the Polish region of Gdynia.
The winners for 2014 are:
Category 1: Smart Growth – “Art on Chairs” More information on the project
Category 2: Sustainable Growth – BEACON More information on the project
Category 3: Inclusive Growth – “Fifteen Cornwall Apprenticeship Programme” More information on the project
Category 4: CityStar – Ecological Transport” More information on the project
This year’s event came at a crucial time as Member States are finalizing their strategic investment plans, the so-called “Partnership Agreements” on how to spend the European Structural and Investment Funds over the next seven years. The Awards Ceremony showcased the first projects reflecting the reform of Cohesion Policy.
Source: European Commision site