2022 marks a special anniversary for Regiostars: it is the 15th edition of the contest, which started in 2008.
To celebrate this anniversary, we selected 15 projects among finalists and winners of the past competitions and sent young journalists to these projects to create mini-documentaries on what has happened since the Regiostars nomination. Watch their documentaries below!
The Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, awarded the favourites of public vote in the Regiostars anniversary ceremony on 17th November, in Evora, Portugal.
Congratulations to the winners!
Socorridos Hydroelectric Power Station is today the largest and most important hydraulic system for production of water supply and hydro energy in Madeira. An EU co-funded project transformed the station into a reversible system, that makes it possible to take advantage of its power capacity at any time of the year and during the day at peak periods, and to ensure that more water is available for irrigation and public supply.
The Hellenic Technology Clusters Initiative (HTCI-Corallia) supports innovation clusters in knowledge-intensive and export-oriented technology sectors, such as nano and micro-electronics, space technologies, and recreational and creative applications. Over the years Corallia has helped companies to boost their competitiveness and increase their profit, and supported employment in the region.
LOFAR is a network of telescopes, covering currently 9 countries accross Europe, that has enabled world-leading radio astronomical research by combining cutting-edge data collection and processing. While LOFAR can help scientists to uncover answers to questions regarding the origin and evolution of the Universe, the unique data it gathers can also be used in many sectors, spanning from agriculture to healthcare.
The EU-funded project set out to increase the concentration of cleantech companies in the region and to ensure that this cluster becomes a top location worldwide for cleantech innovators. Today, what is known as the Green Tech Valley has indeed become a home for hundreds of successful companies focused on green technologies that have contributed to the region's economic growth and created thousands of new jobs.
The JIC Innovation Agency project was set up in Brno in 2003 in response to a severe economic downturn in South Moravia. JIC's focus was, and is still today, to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship in the high-technology fields such as software engineering, computer security, machining, and robotics. Over the years, the business support programme has evolved to become the largest business incubator schemes in Czechia.
This project helped to renew the building sector in Andalusia, Spain, by introducing energy saving measures and by improving the take-up of renewables in existing buildings. The Sustainable Construction Programme in Andalusia (PICSA) has also supprted the improvement of the competitiveness of local construction companies and the reduction of energy poverty of low-income families.
Children and young people with disabilities living in the city of Burgas, Bulgaria are getting the chance to live better lives thanks this project, which built five modern residential centres. As well as being good places to live, these new buildings offer a range of social and care services to support the development and integration of 70 youngsters who have a variety of needs.
The emblematic Anderlecht metal market has been more than an abattoir for many years now. The 19th century industrial building was transformed into an ecological urban farm, where, for example, the heat produced by the fridges is reused, with the FOODMET project. The totally new covered market hosts now over 40 traders that sell fruits, vegetables, cheese, bread, meat, fish, and a variety of other specialities to the customers.
The revitalisation of the Lower Town district, a historical district of the city of Gdansk included investments in infrastructure and stregthening the social connection. By involving local residents from the very beginning, this urban revitalisation project was able to focus on the real needs of the residents. This also helped to ensure that concrete project achievements have been carried on and sustained by engaged inhabitants.
This new public secondary school building built in Põlva is the first ever nearly zero-energy schoolhouse in Estonia. The energy solutions cover everything from construction materials to the building's use: the roof has 144 solar panels, the outdoor blinds regulate the inside temperature, and rainwater is collected and used for sanitation. This unique learning environment has contributed to the creation of a community among the pupils.
An ancient fortified city on the island of Gozo, Malta, was restored with the support of EU co-funding. The project involved the restoration and rehabilitation of internal structures within the walls of the Cittadella. Today the new visitor centre and improved accessibility help to attract more tourists to this impressive landmark, the full potential of which as a tourist destination used to be largely untapped.
In the Centro region of Portugal, the Ecomare project connects the port of Aveiro with the coastal lagoon of Ria de Aveiro to help conserve, protect and ensure the sustainable use of marine biological resources. By linking existing grey infrastructure to nearby green and blue areas, Ecomare exemplifies what modern port cities could look like.
Good Support is an innovative partnership, which increases the accessibility of social services through peer-to-peer applications for mobile devices. It offers a system of local social services for people at risk of poverty or social exclusion in one place via the project’s website or the app. Beyond the digital technology, Good Support provides training and renovates apartments to make care safer and easier.
The e-Schools pilot project provided ICT equipment and digital education tools for 151 primary and secondary schools in Croatia. This helped 10% of the country’s schools to raise their level of competence in the use of ICT for teaching and learning. Along with ongoing support and training for teachers and principals, the resulting comprehensive approach helped to ensure the project’s long-term sustainability.
This project in the far North of Europe is strengthening relationships between the EU and the Sámi indigenous peoples. The project operates in the cross-border region of North-East Finland, Upper Norrland in Sweden, as well as parts of Norway. As part of the project, an EU-Sami strategy was developed, and in particular the youth are encouraged to take courses and participate in EU-related traineeships.
