Polski
The next edition of the REGIOSTARS program for projects implemented with the support of European funds is being launched. What are the criteria for the competition? In which categories will the jury award prizes?
What is REGIOSTARS?
REGIOSTARS is a program for people who have created an EU-funded project focused on showcasing cohesion policy and the impact of regional development. All initiatives will be evaluated by academic experts specializing in specific fields:
- A competitive and smart Europe;
- Green Europe (A green Europe);
- A Connected Europe (A Connected Europe);
- A social and inclusive Europe;
- A Europe Closer to the Citizens.
The REGIOSTARS competition also includes a People’s Choice Award. The winner of each of the five categories will be honored with the opportunity to conduct, together with the Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy, a communication campaign. Applications can be submitted until May 31, 2024, and the awards will be presented on October 9 this year in Brussels.
Presentation of categories
The first edition of the program was organized in 2008. By DG REGIO. It is a European brand of excellence for projects implemented with the support of European funds intended to increase the impact of regional development. The goal of the competition is to inspire other European areas to increase the importance of regional policy. In 2024. Participants can submit five projects, each of which must address one of the following points:
- Promoting economic competitiveness and resilience;
- Ecological transformation as a development factor for the region;
- Improving mobility and integration between regions;
- Achieving European cohesion by leveraging regional potential;
- Promoting sustainable development of all types of territories.
The winners of each category will be announced during the European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels at the REGIOSTARS ceremony.
How to apply?
Any person who wants to submit a project should apply on the REGIOSTARS platform. The Commission will consider initiatives co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund or the Fair Transition Fund, in addition to Interreg programs that began after January 1, 2014. and have already been completed. The application should include a brief description of the prepared project, taking into account its main objectives and positive impact on EU regional policy. If the program is recognized by an expert jury, then the description will increase the chance of winning the Public Choice Award. The application should also provide a thorough analysis of the project, including all information necessary for expert evaluation.
Applying for the competition
Candidates who wish to participate in the program should submit an application along with a confirmation letter (signed by the head of the managing institution) via the REGIOSTARS website. The application may be prepared in Polish. It is worth remembering that each participant is entitled to submit five projects. Each of them should be completed, that is, carried out in accordance with a predetermined action plan, subsidized and closed by the managing authority. The committee considers all submitted projects, with each project having to be submitted in a different field. In the submitted form, all positive effects of the implemented project should be included, and it should be shown that without it, beneficial changes would not have been possible.
Jubilee REGIOSTARS in 2022.
In 2022. The 15th anniversary event was held. edition of the competition, so the organizers decided to select a dozen of the best projects prepared by the finalists and winners of the previous competition. A short film was made about each of them. The commission decided to honor two Polish submissions. The first was on the revitalization of the Lower Town in Gdansk. 2016 draft. allowed investment in infrastructure and strengthening of social ties. Another winning plan included a cutting-edge partnership that makes community services more accessible through a peer-to-peer mobile app for people at risk of either poverty or exclusion.
REGIOSTARS is an extremely important competition to increase the impact and universality of regional development. Will Polish projects be recognized by the expert panel in this edition as well? We encourage you to apply on the REGIOSTARS website.
