Brussels, 25/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission's “RegioStars” annual awards highlight the most innovative projects, which have been supported by European regional policy. The 2011 competition has entered its final stages, with the 66 projects submitted by 18 member states now whittled down to a shortlist of 31 projects, announced the Commission. The winners will be unveiled at a ceremony in Brussels on 23 June in the presence of Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn and the president of the RegioStars jury, Ann Mettler, Executive Director of the Brussels based think tank Lisbon Council (Brussels). Selected projects range from the Azores in Portugal to the region of Lower Austria and include interregional and cross border cooperation between up to six European countries, including Norway and the Faroe Islands.
The thematic categories for the 2011 RegioStars were chosen with a clear focus on identifying and recognising projects linked to key political priorities for cohesion policy, in the light of the EUROPE 2020 strategy agreed by the member states. The finalists are shortlisted for five awards under the three following headings: 1) Economic competitiveness: networking and cluster initiatives supporting regional growth and small and medium sized enterprises' (SMEs) access to global markets and anticipating economic change; 2) Low carbon economy: promoting sustainable energy in cities (“CityStar” category) and integrated, clean urban transport projects (“CityStar” category); 3) information and communication: promotional photo of a co-funded project. For this final category, an online vote will be open to the public on 16 April. For further information: ec.europa.eu/regional policy. (G.B./transl.fl)