The 2013 European Enterprise Promotion Awards, that recognise the best public initiatives and public-private partnerships in promoting business development and entrepreneurship, are open to applications. On this occasion, a new category rewarding successful projects contributing to the green economy has been added.

The European Commission launched the 2013 European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA). The awards recognise the best public initiatives and public-private partnerships in promoting business development and entrepreneurship. Its objectives are to identify and recognize successful activities and initiatives undertaken to promote enterprise and entrepreneurship, showcase and share examples of best entrepreneurship policies and practices, create a greater awareness of the role entrepreneurs play in European society and encourage and inspire potential entrepreneurs. The UK organisation Outset was the winner of the 2012 European Enterprise Promotion Awards.

The six award categories to be taken part for participating in the contest are supporting the development of green markets and resource efficiency, promoting entrepreneurial spirit, investing in skills, improving the business environment, supporting the internationalisation of businesses, and responsible and inclusive entrepreneurship. The new category to support sustainable growth will be open to projects supporting resource efficiency and SME access to green markets.

The participants will must first compete at the national level and will then be eligible to compete at the European level. For the national competition, each country will select two entries to be nominated for the European competition by June 2013. Since the awards were launched, over 2,000 projects have entered and together they have supported the creation of well over 10,000 new companies.