The European Enterprise Awards (EEA) aim to recognise and reward the best entrepreneurial initiatives by public authorities at national, regional and local level to make Europe more entrepreneurial and business-friendly. 12 regions have been nominated to compete for the final award, whose winners will be announced on 24 May 2011 at the 5th EEA award ceremony co-hosted by the Hungarian Presidency in the prestigious National Gallery in Budapest.

The nominees for the European Enterprise Awards 2011 are public authorities which excel in helping people to create businesses whether they are young or over 50, urban or rural, local or export oriented. Many of them have managed to drive social change through entrepreneurship by giving opportunities to disadvantaged groups such as immigrants, the disabled and even unskilled problem youth. While presenting the recently adopted Small Business Act Review to the Competitiveness Council, European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, highlighted that the experiences presented by these shortlisted regions are “concrete examples and ideas for action at all levels of how to make it easier to start, run and grow a small business and how to make European society more entrepreneurial and more inclusive”.

A total of 399 projects competed in national competitions in 29 European nations for the European Enterprise Awards 2011, exceeding last years’ participation. This year’s participating countries, including 24 EU Member States, Croatia, Iceland, Norway, Serbia and Turkey; selected up to two candidates to represent their nation at the European competition. Croatia, Serbia and Turkey participated in the competition for the first time this year.

Projects shortlisted for the European Enterprise Awards (EEA) 2011

Category 1: Promoting the Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Poland: Fostering entrepreneurship among the 50+
• Spain: Transforming Barcelona’s entrepreneurial landscape
• Turkey: Local honey bee spurs entrepreneurial buzz

Category 2: Investing in Skills

• Netherlands: Learning about entrepreneurship through real-life practice in Amsterdam
• UK: Creative skills drive social change and enterprise in Newham

Category 3: Improving the Business Environment

• Hungary: Helping local SMEs save energy and money
• Sweden: Stimulating rural entrepreneurship through e-trade and micro-investments

Category 4: Supporting the Internationalisation of Business

• France: Rhône-Alpes Region uses unique support model to boost exports
• Italy: Internationalising Prato’s businesses through product experimentation

Category 5: Responsible and Inclusive Entrepreneurship

• Austria: Mentoring for immigrants helps social integration and economic development
• Hungary: Hotel gains a competitive advantage by employing disabled individuals
• Lithuania: Restaurant helps rehabilitation and integration of former drug addicts

All national candidates will be invited to the awards ceremony in Budapest between 24 and 25 May 2011. In cooperation with the Hungarian presidency, the event will focus on the exchange of best business promotion practices across Europe.