Brussels, Belgium — In an exciting development within the entrepreneurial community, the European Commission has announced a list of 18 initiatives that have been shortlisted from a pool of 54 national winners for this year’s European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA). These selected projects represent a broad spectrum of entrepreneurial innovation across six competitive categories and stand a chance to win at the European level.
The EEPA Jury, convened in Brussels, is comprised of notable individuals tasked with assessing these innovative projects. The jury is chaired by Outi Slotboom, Director of Strategy and Economic Analysis at the Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship, and SMEs. Slotboom’s role places her at the forefront of EU industrial policy and economic analysis, crucial for discerning the potential impact of the shortlisted projects on the European economy.
Joining Slotboom in the jury is Carminda Seixas from IAPMEI, the Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation in Portugal. Seixas is recognized for her experience in entrepreneurship and competitiveness and has spearheaded several national initiatives promoting entrepreneurial success.
Another influential figure on the panel is Diana Dovgan, serving as the Secretary General of CECOP and CICOPA since 2018. With her experience, Dovgan brings valuable insights into the cooperative sector’s industrial and service aspects and its impact on the European social economy.
From Belgium, Emmanuel Pieters, the Director-General for SME Policy, contributes his expertise to the jury. Pieters is known for his strategic role in SME policy and his interest in entrepreneurial strategies that quickly lead to societal benefits, reflecting the EEPA’s ethos to promote sustainable entrepreneurship.
Representing Hungary on the jury, László Hunyadi brings his extensive experience in SME policy coordination both on national and European levels. His insights are geared towards recognizing initiatives that propel Europe’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Marie-Claire Neill-Cowper, from the European Committee of the Regions, and Professor Thomas Cooney from Technological University Dublin, also serve on the jury. Neill-Cowper’s extensive background in SME policy and entrepreneurship at the European level, and Cooney’s expertise in entrepreneurship policy, round off a panel that comprehensively represents diverse entrepreneurial facets across Europe.
This year’s finalists, while diverse, share a common thread in driving forward innovative and sustainable business models and practices across Europe. From improving industrial competiveness to fostering social entrepreneurship, these initiatives reflect the growing importance of holistic business strategies in the European market.
Each category winner will ultimately be announced at a high-profile ceremony slated for November 19, 2024, during the SME Assembly in Budapest, hosted by the European Commission and the Hungarian Presidency of the EU. This event promises to not only spotlight leading entrepreneurial endeavors but also to inspire continued innovation and competitiveness among European SMEs.
Listeners and followers can stay updated on developments through the Promoting Enterprise Futurium platform, and its associated social media channels, where further details about the candidates and their remarkable projects awaiting evaluation will be shared.
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