The European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPAs) are currently in their 12th annual edition. The Awards celebrate diverse projects from across Europe that facilitate entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial endeavours. This year's shortlisted projects come from: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
In 2018 303 national EEPA entries were received from 32 participating countries.56 of these projects were selected by the National Co-ordinators each country and were put forward to the European level of the competition. Portugal produced a spectacular effort with 82 national entries, the highest national total ever achieved in EEPA's history.
On 26 September, the jury established a shortlist of 19 nominees in six categories. This year's jury was made up of members of the outgoing Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the current Austrian Presidency, along with representatives from the European Commission, the Committee of the regions, business and academia.
Category 1 – Promoting the Entrepreneurial Spirit
Belgium: De Makersrepubliek: Handmade in Brugge, The Box en Turbo
Estonia: Superheroes
Greece: Piraeus Blue Entrepreneurship
Category 2 – Investing in Entrepreneurial Skills
Austria: i2c STARTacademy
Ireland: ACORNS – Accelerating the Creation of Rural Nascent Start-ups
Lithuania: Entrepreneurship Academy
Category 3 – Improving the Business Environment
Romania: Start up Nation Romania
Spain: Open Innovation 4.0.
United Kingdom: Anchoring economic growth in the Tees Valley
Category 4 – Supporting the Internationalisation of Business
Bulgaria: Supporting the internationalization and digitalization of SMEs in Bulgaria and Europe
Denmark: Lean Landing
Finland: Kasvu Open – company growth sparring programme
Category 5 – Supporting the Development of Green Markets and Resource Efficiency
Netherlands: HAS Food Experience
Portugal: Matosinhos Carbon-zero Living Lab enhanced by local carbon market
Slovakia: Green bicycle
Category 6 – Responsible and Inclusive Entrepreneurship
France: Initiative remarquable
Germany: ProjectTogether
Ireland: Laois Start Your Own Business Programmes
Have a look at all of the national winners from the six different categories:
EEPA – The European Enterprise Promotion Awards, recognises outstanding projects from across Europe that are working to support entrepreneurs and small businesses across six different categories.
Source: EEPA press release