EER Award 2024

The CoR puts resilient communities in the spotlight this week through its award for top entrepreneurial regions. To foster innovative entrepreneurship in Europe is key for the Union's competitiveness, for our path towards green industries and sustainability, circular economy and to provide quality jobs and skills' trainings for Europeans. Through the winners and their examples, we can inspire other cities and regions and we can show to EU institutions and policy makers how regions and cities are on the forefront on making Europe resilient against crises and fit for future challenges regarding our economies.

 Vasco Alves Cordeiro, President of the CoR

Vila Nova de Famalicão is, by its own, the European Entrepreneurial Region 2024. This distinction reflects the success of the strategic goal that the municipality has been developing in terms of creating a favourable ecosystem for entrepreneurship and innovation. We are one of the most entrepreneurial territories in Portugal, an industrial city with innovation, creativity, and research. We are the engine of growth and development in the North Region, the 3rd most exporter in Portugal. This is an opportunity to show our value, to grow, and to become increasingly greener, digital, and resilient European city.

Mário de Sousa Passos, Mayor of Vila Nova de Famalicão

Following the decision of the European Commission to admit our Region to the Strong Innovator group, the 2024 European Entrepreneurial Region Award is another prestigious recognition of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s effort to tackle the major challenges of our time through a responsible and forward-looking approach. In line with our government agenda, the specific territorial strategies which will be pursued next year rely on the implementation of three basic pillars: sustainability, digitalisation and clean energy transition will hence be our keywords to reinforce our policies and strengthen our position in the continental ranking.

Massimiliano Fedriga, President of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region

The regional innovation strategy is based on the mutual trust of the local innovation community. We work closely with companies, research organizations, and NGOs, and together we are building our region into a home for globally successful entrepreneurs. In doing so, we can rely on strong sectors such as electron microscopy or IT, especially game development or cybersecurity.

Jan Grolich, Governor of the South Moravian Region

We have long been investing in promoting entrepreneurship for Małopolskie. With a war raging just across Poland’s border, new challenges have emerged as we pursue responsible growth in Europe. Guided by our mission, “A responsible future”, we have provided unwavering support to Ukraine and its people, contributing our potential and experience to help the nation recover and rebuild. We are ready to embrace our role as a hub for expertise and entrepreneurship for Ukrainian businesses.

Witold Kozłowski, Marshal of the Małopolskie Region