European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) is a project that identifies and rewards EU regions and cities which show an outstanding and innovative entrepreneurial policy strategy, irrespective of their size, wealth and competences. Regions and cities with the most credible, forward-thinking and promising vision plan are granted the label "European Entrepreneurial Region" (EER) for a specific year.
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The EER label has been set up in partnership with the European Commission and is supported by EU level stak​​eholders such as SME United, Eurochambres​​, Social Economy Europe and EURADA. It remains open to any organisation willing to contribute to its objectives.

Since its creation in 2010, the EER label was granted to 39 regions and cities from 17 EU Member States. The EER label for the year 2023 has been granted to the following regions:

  • Barcelona (Spain)
  • Penela (Portugal)
  • Western Pomerania (Poland)

EER award – How to apply

Eligibility

  • Open to all EU territories of Member States, including communities and cities as well as cross-border territories with legal personality such as EGTCs and Euroregions
  • Possession of competences at a political level (not necessarily legislative)
  • Ability to implement an overall entrepreneurial vision
  • Regardless of their size, wealth or specific competences
  • ​Open to territories that are already successful and those committed to implementing necessary changes

Cross-border regions are particularly encouraged to submit applications.​​

Necessary documents

  • Application form, consisting of:​
    • a fact sheet on the applicant territory
    • An outline of the region's political vision
    • A description of foreseen governance mechanism to ensure efficient implementation of the EER actions
    • Action plan
    • Communication plan
  • ​Declaration of political commitment demonstrating that the territory's EER strategy is endorsed by its political leadership (e.g. the regional assembly, the regional government or other authorised political bodies)

Application procedure

The deciding Jury takes into account

  • each applicant's budget, specific structural or territorial challenges and economic starting point

  • the overall presentation of the EER candidate's Vision Plan.​​

For more information on how to apply, please consult the documents section. ​

​EER Jury​

The Jury is composed of twelve members (experts in the field and politicians) and is made up of representatives of the​​

EER Regions

List of European Entrepreneurial Regions since 2011:

  • 2011 : Brandenburg (Germany), County Kerry (Ireland) and Murcia Region (Spain)

  • 2012 : Catalonia (Spain), Helsinki-Uusimaa (Finland) and Trnava (Slovak Republic)

  • 2013 : Nord-Pas de Calais (France), Southern Denmark and Styria (Austria)

  • 2014 : Flanders (Belgium), Marche (Italy) and North Brabant (Netherlands)

  • 2015 : Lisbon (Portugal), Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) and the Valencian Region (Spain)

  • 2016 : Glasgow (United Kingdom), Lombardia (Italy) and Małopolska (Poland)

  • 2017 : Extremadura (Spain), Lower Austria (Austria), Western Greece (Greece)

  • 2018 : Central Macedonia (Greece), Ile-de-France (France) and Northern and Western Region (Ireland)

  • 2019 : Asturias (Spain), Gelderland (Netherlands), Thessaly (Greece)

  • 2020 : Gdansk and Pomorskie (Poland), Gothenburg (Sweden), Navarra (Spain)​

  • 2021 - 2022: Castelo Branco Municipality (Portugal), Gabrovo Municipality (Bulgaria),​ Helsinki-Uusimaa Region (Finland), Madrid Region (Spain), Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (France), Silesia Voivodeship (Poland)

  • 2023: Barcelona (Spain), Penela (Portugal), Western Pomerania (Poland)


Documents

Latest news

Multimedia

Message by President Vasco Cordeiro at the launch of the EER awards 2025

 

Watch more

  • Message by President Vasco Cordeiro at the launch of the EER awards 2025
    Message by President Vasco Cordeiro at the launch of the EER awards 2025
  • Message by President Vasco Cordeiro at the launch of the EER awards 2024
    Message by President Vasco Cordeiro at the launch of the EER awards 2024
  • European Entrepreneurial Region 2023 : Spotlight on resilient communities
    European Entrepreneurial Region 2023 : Spotlight on resilient communities
  • Entrepreneurial societies make resilient regions - European Entrepreneurial Region 2021
    Entrepreneurial societies make resilient regions - European Entrepreneurial Region 2021
  • Gelderland, EER 2019
    Gelderland, EER 2019
  • Northern and Western Region of Ireland, EER 2018
    Northern and Western Region of Ireland, EER 2018
  • Central Macedonia Region, EER 2018
    Central Macedonia Region, EER 2018

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Contact

Mr Piotr Zajaczkowski, Committee of the Regions
Tel: +32 (0)2/282.24.01 eer-cdr@cor.europa.eu 
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