REGIOSTARS Awards 2011

There are five RegioStars Award categories for 2011:

1. Economic competitiveness theme
   • Networking and cluster initiatives supporting regional growth and SMEs access to global markets
   • Anticipating economic change
2. Low carbon economy theme
   • Promoting sustainable energy in cities (“CityStar” category)
   • Integrated, clean urban transport projects (“CityStar” category)
3. Information and communication theme
   • Promotional photo of a co-funded project

In addition to the Jury award under category 5, the Commission will organise an online public vote on the shortlisted promotional photos. Thereby allowing two awards under this category.

Award criteria for thematic categories 1-4

• Innovative character of the project
• Impact or expected impact of the project in terms of initial objectives
• Expected sustainability of the project: Evidence could include development towards self-financing or demonstration that the project has or will be part of a succession of projects sequentially funded by other EU financial instruments.
• Project's results in enhancing local, regional and interregional partnerships: Evidence could include demonstration that the project was inspired by another region's project/programme or shared with another region.

Award criteria for category 5 - Information and communication

• Quality and visual impact of the photo: it tells the story of the project well, is aesthetic and of high quality. For example, the human dimension of a project is well captured and/or an unusual angle has been chosen.
• The project photo has contributed to increasing the visibility of European regional policy: this will be judged based on evidence provided by the applicant. How has the photo been used in communication activities? Did it feature in news articles, or on posters, postcards etc? What messages on regional policy were conveyed? Was it part of a communication strategy? Demonstrate the impact these activities had.

The project description is complete, correct and informative: inter alia, the following elements should be explained: the European dimension of the project; the results of the project, and the contribution of the project to the region's development strategy. If possible, cite the reactions or opinions from a beneficiary.

President :

Ms Ann Mettler is executive director and co-founder of the Lisbon Council, a Brussels-based, independent, non-partisan think tank and policy network.

Members:

Prof. Christian KETELS (SE) is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategy and Competitiveness at the Stockholm School of Economics.

Mr Werner PAMMINGER (AT) is an experienced executive and senior consultant for a few years.

Ms Claire NAUWELAERS (BE) is a Policy Analyst, working on regional innovation policy within the Regional Competitiveness and Regional Governance Division of OECD.

Ms Monica OREVICEANU (RO) Superior Councillor, DG Territorial Development, Ministry of Development, Public Works and Housing

Ms Zdenka SIMONOVIC (HR), member of the Civitas network, Site Manager in Ljubljana, Project Coordinator of ELAN

Mr Marcello ANTINUCCI (IT) Dr. Antinucci, physicist, after 4-years of academic research, spent more than 30 years in industrial research and consulting in renewable energies, energy efficiency, and building energy applications.

Mr Neil Warner (IE) holds the Associateship of the Irish Professional Photographers Association, the Fellowship of the British Institute of Professional Photography and the Fellowship of the British Master Photographers Association.

RegioStars 2012 Winners

Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, and the President of the RegioStars Jury Ann Mettler, executive director of the Brussels think thank Lisbon Council, announced yesterday evening the winners of the "RegioStars Awards" 2011. The prize giving ceremony recognised the most innovative projects that have been supported by European Regional Policy. Madeira and the Azores in Portugal, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Northern Mid Sweden, Wales in the UK were at centre stage. Municipalities in the Northern peripheral regions of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands were also winners thanks to a territorial cooperation project.

Press Release

I. Economic competitiveness themes

Category 1. Networking and cluster initiatives supporting regional growth and Small- and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) access to global markets

Growth in Environmental Marine Science, Wales, UK

The project aims to support marine and aquatic science businesses in Wales. Although the project is still in the early stages of delivery, achievements to date are strong with 92 SMEs assisted, 4 new businesses created, 20 new jobs created and 60 individuals assisted to start new businesses.

Videos: RegioStars Awards 2011: Growth in environmental marine science (GEMS) and Portrait

Category 2. Anticipating economic change

SLIM (System Management for Innovative Platforms), Northern Mid Sweden

This project linked cluster organisations and companies, universities and regional authorities in three regions (Dalarna, Gävleborg and Värmland) to stimulate innovation, regional growth and development.

Videos: RegioStars Awards 2011: system management for innovative platforms (SLIM) and Portrait

II. Low carbon economy themes

Category 3 "CityStar" . Promoting sustainable energy in cities

Amsterdam Smart City, Netherlands

The City of Amsterdam, acting in line with the EU's 20-20-20 climate targets, has set itself even more ambitious goals: With the programme ‘Amsterdam, Smart City', it has shown how to make all municipal organisations climate-impact neutral before 2015 and to reduce CO2 emissions by 40% compared to 1990 levels by the year 2025 while promoting innovation-based economic growth.

Videos: RegioStars Awards 2011: Amsterdam Smart City and Portrait

Category 4 "CityStar". Integrated, clean urban transport projects

Innovative and sustainable mobility in Funchal (CIVITAS MIMOSA), Madeira, Portugal

The city of Funchal is characterised by rugged, hilly landscapes, resulting in the high wear-and-tear of bus engines, as well as low energy efficiency, increased polluting emissions and noise. The aims of this project were to increase the total number of passengers on public transport, improve user satisfaction, increase transport efficiency and also promote a shift towards alternative transport modes.

Videos: RegioStars Awards 2011: Innovative and sustainable mobility (CIVITAS) and Portrait

III. Information and communication theme

Category 5. Promotional photo of a co-funded project

Chosen by an online public vote:

Capelinhos Lighthouse, Azores, Portugal

The winning photo was used to promote the ‘Redevelopment of Capelinhos Lighthouse – Interpretation Centre' project. It shows the interior of the lighthouse, which is located near the Capelinhos Volcano. The project aimed to develop the site as an historical, environmental and sustainable tourist attraction.

Chosen by the Jury:

Age makes no Difference, Partners: Northern municipalities in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland and Faroe Islands

The photo was used to promote the project "Our Life as Elderly II", which is part of a European territorial programme "Northern periphery". It aimed to prepare municipalities in the northern peripheral regions of Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, to better cope with the challenges of an ageing population.