The competition for the 16th RegioStars awards of the European Commission for 2023 was launched. Each year, Regiostars rewards the best projects funded by the Cohesion Policy. Beneficiaries of all projects can submit their applications in the following six thematic categories, which are linked to the policy objectives of the 2021-2027 Programming Period:
- Competitive and smart Europe
- Green Europe
- Connected Europe
- Social and inclusive Europe
- Bringing Europe closer to its citizens
- and the theme of the year, the European Year of Skills.
The Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Eliza Fereira, noted:
“I am very pleased to announce the opening of this important competition, held for the 16th time. The REGIOSTARS awards show how Cohesion Policy projects transform local economies and lives of people in EU regions. They contribute to harmonious territorial development of the Union by supporting economic growth, highlighting social innovation and help kick-start a greener, smarter and technologically more advanced future. 2023 is the Year of Skills, and REGIOSTARS will reward the best Cohesion projects, which help to up-and reskill Europe’s workforce to help them deal with the challenges that Europe is facing today. I encourage projects promoters from all EU regions to apply for the competition.”
Beneficiaries of projects funded by EPAnEK (2014-2020) can send their applications until 31 May 2023, while the public will have the opportunity to vote on their favourite project for the “Public Choice Award” among the finalists.
See the Application Guide here .
Completed projects that have received funding either from the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Social Fund, the Just Transition Fund, or a project under any strand of Interreg programmes that started after 1 January 2014 may participate in the tender.
The winners will be selected by a high-level independent jury of experts.
The awards will be announced at an award ceremony in Ostrava, the Czech Republic, on 16 November 2023.
Since 2008, the REGIOSTARS competition awards the best projects funded by the cohesion policy, that stand out for their excellence and the new approaches they adopt towards regional development.
See more information about the tender process here
