Europe Champions Innovation: 25 Projects Vie for REGIOSTARS Awards

From green tech to social inclusion, visionary initiatives showcase EU’s regional development excellence

Europe’s commitment to impactful regional development is on full display as 25 groundbreaking projects have been selected as finalists for the prestigious REGIOSTARS Awards. These initiatives, spanning five diverse categories, highlight innovative solutions to pressing challenges across the continent.

Recognizing Regional Prowess

The REGIOSTARS Awards, established in 2008, have become a hallmark of excellence for EU-funded projects demonstrating significant regional development impact and inclusivity. This year’s finalists represent the forefront of European ingenuity, driving forward policy and inspiring new regional strategies.

Spotlight on Innovation Categories

The competition is fierce across five key areas. In “A Competitive and Smart Europe,” projects range from digital television collaboration (DigiTVC) involving Spain, France, and Portugal, to advanced satellite radar-based fertilisation maps from Poland.

Category 1: A Competitive and Smart Europe

DigiTVC (Spain, France, Portugal)
PlantaSYST – Centre for plant systems biology and biotechnology (Bulgaria)
Satellite radar-based fertilisation maps (Poland)
Smart Marine – Contemporary harbours with soft energy technology (Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Sweden)
TYPICALP – Typicity, Innovation, Competitiveness in Alpine dairy products (Italy, Switzerland)

The “A Green Europe” category features initiatives like AGEo – Atlantic Geohazard Risk Management, a multi-country effort including Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. CARE Peat from Belgium, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the UK, focuses on peatland restoration.

Category 2: A Green Europe

AGEO – Atlantic Geohazard Risk Management (Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland, United Kingdom)
CARE Peat (Belgium, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, United Kingdom)
EcoX – Recycling of Food Oil Used through Green Chemistry (Portugal)
NAWAMED – Nature based solutions for domestic water reuse in Mediterranean countries (Italy)
Re-water (Italy, Greece)

Connectivity and digital transformation are central to “A Connected Europe.” Lithuanian efforts in creating an effective digital community (Connected Lithuania) and Poland’s project to improve island connections via a tunnel under Swina highlight this category.

Category 3: A Connected Europe

Connected Lithuania – Effective, Safe and Responsible Lithuanian Digital Community (Lithuania)
Construction of a tunnel under Swina – Improving the communication connection between the islands of Uznam and Wolin in Swinoujscie (Poland)
MONOCAB OWL – New mobility on old tracks (Germany)
SIS Santé – Emergency services connected (France)
Zheleznitsa Modern Tunnel Systems (Bulgaria)

Promoting social equity and inclusivity, “A Social and Inclusive Europe” includes projects like Early support for families at risk in Czechia and the Social Inclusion Incubator from Poland. The sharing factory in Belgium aims to create urban hubs for social inclusion and circular economy principles.

Category 4: A Social and Inclusive Europe

Early support for families at risk (Czechia)
Oyapock Health Cooperation Phase 1 (French Guiana, Brazil)
I.U. Su.Pr.Eme — Individualised exit routes from exploitation (Italy)
Social Inclusion Incubator (Poland)
The sharing factory: new urban hotspot for social inclusion & circular economy (Belgium)

Bringing Europe closer to its citizens, the final category, “A Europe Closer to Citizens,” features initiatives like Metropolitan Heritage Days in Portugal and MoBiLait, expanding reading access via Lithuanian Libraries for people with print disabilities.

Category 5: A Europe Closer to Citizens

Metropolitan Heritage Days (Portugal)
MoBiLait – Expanding Reading Access via Lithuanian Libraries for People with Print Disabilities (Lithuania)
Preserving and showcasing the cultural and natural heritage of North Courland (Latvia)
Shankill Shared Women’s Centre (Ireland, United Kingdom)
Toldi Reborn – A Story of Unity & Culture (Romania, Hungary)

The REGIOSTARS Awards are a testament to the transformative power of regional development funding. In 2022, EU cohesion policy supported over 1.5 million jobs across the bloc, demonstrating its tangible impact on citizens’ lives (European Commission Funding & Tenders Portal).

Next Steps for Finalists

The public will soon have a chance to cast their votes for the Public Choice Award, with voting opening on September 2nd on the REGIOSTARS website. Finalists will present their projects to a jury during the 23rd European Week of Regions and Cities, with the winners set to be unveiled at an award ceremony on October 15th.

EU Climate Action Funding Bolsters Resilience in the Mediterranean

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EU Climate Action Funding Bolsters Resilience in the Mediterranean

The European Union’s commitment to climate action is paying dividends in the Mediterranean, where a wave of innovative projects are building resilience against a changing climate.Between 2014 and 2020, 318 cooperation initiatives, backed by €528 million in EU funding, tackled the climate crisis across the region, involving nearly 1,900 partners in 22 participating countries [1].

Mediterranean Climate Initiatives: A Deep Dive

These initiatives, documented in the keep.eu database and analyzed through a study of 17 Interreg and European Neighbourhood instrument Cross-Border Cooperation (ENI CBC) programs, demonstrate a dual approach to climate challenges: adapting human activity to new environmental realities and mitigating future disasters.

Adaptation Strategies: cultivating Resilience

On the adaptation front, projects like INTESA and EauSIRIS are helping farmers cultivate drought-resistant olives and citrus fruits. BLEU-ADAPT is transforming environmental challenges into economic opportunities by developing markets for invasive species like blue crab.

Mitigation and Prevention: Cost-Effective Solutions

Mitigation and prevention measures are also being developed across borders, including circular aquaculture systems (CELAVIE) and innovative wastewater recycling for irrigation (PROSIM). These projects consistently demonstrate that mitigation and prevention offer a higher cost-effectiveness than post-disaster responses.

did You Know? The EU budget for 2014-2020 aimed to allocate 20% of funds to climate-related action [3].

Leaders in Climate Investment

The Interreg program connecting Spain, France, and Portugal stands out by dedicating 40% of its total budget and 42% of its projects to climate resilience measures. The Interreg Italy-Tunisia corridor has emerged as an innovation laboratory, producing groundbreaking solutions like MENAWARA’s system for repurposing wastewater to sustain agricultural irrigation.

Pro Tip: Mitigation and prevention strategies are more cost-effective than post-disaster responses.

The Role of Youth in Climate Action

A particularly encouraging aspect of these projects is the meaningful involvement of younger generations. Data shows that 39% of all projects explicitly engaged youth participants, with 17% giving them intensive roles that went beyond symbolic participation, to include active design and implementation responsibilities.

As the 2021-2027 EU cohesion policy expands climate-focused projects – reaching 29% of Interreg selected cooperation projects – one lesson resonates across the Mediterranean: the most effective solutions refuse to choose between past wisdom and future innovation.

Across the region, traditional water management is being enhanced by sensor networks, and ancient practices like artisanal salt production are being reimagined through modern sustainable techniques. This blending of timelines may represent the Mediterranean’s most valuable innovation in its fight against climate extremes.

Key Metrics of EU Climate Action in the Mediterranean (2014-2020)
Metric	Value
EU Funding	€528 million
Cooperation Initiatives	318
Participating Countries	22
Projects Engaging Youth	39%

Blending Tradition and Innovation

the most effective climate solutions in the Mediterranean region are those that combine ancestral knowledge with cutting-edge tools.This approach allows for sustainable and resilient practices that are tailored to the specific needs of the region.

what innovative climate solutions are you most excited about?

How can communities better integrate traditional practices with modern technology to combat climate change?

Evergreen Insights: The enduring value of climate Action

Climate change poses a notable threat to the Mediterranean region, impacting its ecosystems, economies, and communities. The EU’s commitment to funding climate action is crucial for building resilience and promoting sustainable advancement. By supporting innovative projects and fostering collaboration,the EU is helping the Mediterranean region adapt to the challenges of a changing climate and mitigate future risks.

Frequently asked Questions About EU climate Action Funding

What is the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)?

The EAFRD is a fund through which EU countries implement funding for rural development programs, some of which may address climate change adaptation [1].

What are the EU’s green investment needs?

The EU requires substantial green investment to achieve a climate-neutral economy by 2030 and beyond. This includes investments in decarbonizing the economy and adapting to the impacts of climate change [2].

Share this article and join the conversation! What other regions can learn from the Mediterranean’s approach to climate resilience?

cohesion

Commission announces finalists of REGIOSTARS 2025