Brussels, 27/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - The award winners for best initiatives by public bodies and public/private partnerships to promote enterprise and entrepreneurship and showcase best entrepreneurship policies will be announced on the sidelines of the first SME Assembly in Cyprus, in November.
Over 400 projects are competing this year, which is slightly up compared with 2011, despite the difficult economic environment. The 57 national competition winners will now go forward to the pan-European awards. Once entries have been examined by the professional panel that will give its shortlist in September, 12 projects will be eligible for the final competition. The final winners will be announced at a special ceremony during the first ever SME Assembly, in Cyprus this November.
There will be awards in five categories: promotion of entrepreneurship; investment in professional skills; improving the business environment; responsible and united entrepreneurship; and support for international businesses. (EH/transl.jl)