Brussels, 14/11/2005 (Agence Europe) - The promotion of the spirit of entrepreneurship by local and regional authorities will now be rewarded by European prizes (European Enterprise Awards), to be awarded by a jury made up of business leaders, representatives of the business world, professors and member of the Commission and governments. This competition will recognise "the excellence of regional and local policies in favour of entrepreneurship", said Günter Verheugen in a press release, calling on the participating countries (the 25 Member states, plus Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Iceland and Norway) to advertise this initiative among the cities and regions. The initiative, which was launched in London on Monday by the Commission and the Presidency of the Council, takes its inspiration from the British competition "Enterprising Britain Summit", which was won in 2004 by the project "Sherwood Energy Village": this is the former mining town in Nottinghamshire which promotes sustainable development by reorganising certain sites and a village which was entirely given over to renewable energies, which attracted businesses and new residents. A special Grand Prix will be awarded by the jury to the most creative European initiative. Participants have until 31 March 2006 to put forward projects at national level, and the prizes will be awarded in November (for information, see: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/entrepreneurship/smes/awards/index_en.htm).