RegioStars 2010 1

RegioStars 2010 Context 2010 Regio Stars categories Procedure, eligibility and award criteria 2009 Results + resources

1. RegioStars – Context Part of "Regions for Economic Change“ initiative that reinforces the transfer of good practices between Europe's regions Aims to recognise good ideas and enthusiastic people in the regions making a difference the support offered from Cohesion policy Highlight good innovative practices RegioStars are the Awards for Innovative Projects in the area of Regional Policy. They form part of the “enhanced communication effort” proposed in the Communication in Regions for Economic Change (COM(2006)675). RegioStars aim to improve information about good practice, stimulate the exchange of experience and provide visibility for progressive-thinking. This will be achieved through an annual award event taking place as part of the Regions for Economic Change initiative and the production of case studies of good innovative practice.

2.1 CityStar categories Each Region is invited to nominate one project in either category 1. Innovative use of brownfield sites in an urban context 2. The integration of migrants or marginalised groups in urban areas 1. Innovative use of brownfield sites in an urban context Projects that have redeveloped contamined industrial and/or properties, taking into account sustainable development improvements and innovative final use. Project could have: - Encouraged the use of innovative technologies that meet high environmental standards; - Provided technical and financial support to property owners, developers, and community groups or members; - Generated a positive impact on the environment and the local or regional economy. 2. The integration of migrants or marginalised groups in urban areas This category was chosen to coincide with 2010 being the Year for combating poverty and social exclusion. Project could have: Tackled the economic, social and territorial disadvantages of migrants and ethnic groups; - promoted active involvement of such population groups in the urban areas where they alive.

2.2 ICT categories Each Region is invited to nominate one project in only one of the 3 categories ICT applications for e-inclusion ICT applications by or for SMEs Broadband coverage in less developed regions or rural areas 3. ICT applications for e-inclusion. Project could have: - Involved an innovative use of ICT technologies in favour of citizens generally or targeted specific population groups; - Provided a concrete answer to people' social needs by more efficient delivery of public services; Contributed to the reduction of the digital divide. 4. ICT applications by or for SMEs. Project could have: - Involved an innovative use of ICT applications in the field of SMEs; - Increased productivity, faster communications and helped to reach new clients; Developed mechanisms on how best to anticipate, or respond to, the needs and demands of SMEs. 5. Broadband coverage in less developed regions or rural areas. Project could have: - Created new broadband infrastructure including backhaul facilities (e.g. fixed, terrestrial wireless, satellite-based or combination of technologies) and/or upgraded existing broadband infrastructure; - Integrated or promoted the exploitation of ICTs by the population served in such areas are also relevant.

2.3 Communication category Each Region is invited to nominate one project A Website offering quality information and showing the European added-value Websites could: - Offer evidence that users find the relevant information, i.e. based on user surveys; - Provide interactivity, such as the possibility to apply for support and monitor the process on-line; - Highlight past achievements and co-funded projects; - Provide key, up-to-date, reference documents (i.e. legislation, guidebooks) available for download; - Contain an easy to find, informative and attractive list of beneficiaries; - Provide structure, search possibility or content in languages other than national language.

3.1 RegioStars 2010 - Procedures RegioStars 2010 Jury will comprise experts on the award themes from different stakeholders Winners will be announced at the Spring 2010 “Regions for Economic Change” conference. Prize: winners will receive European recognition, a trophy and a film of their project will be produced. RegioStars Jury: DG Regional Policy is currently selecting a jury for the RegioStars 2010 Awards. As part of the Regions For Economic Change conference in Spring 2010 there will be an Awards ceremony organised to announce the winners. As well as a trophy the winners in categories CityStars and ICT will have a film produced on their project. There will be no monetary award.

3.2 Eligibility criteria - categories 1-5 Demonstration that the project has received ERDF, ESF or Cohesion Fund after 1.1.2000 Initial project can demonstrate impacts in the region, locality or urban area The project has been proactive in sharing experiences and or mobilising partners in the project

3.3 Award Criteria for thematic categories 1-5 Innovative character of the project Impact or expected impact of the project in terms of initial objectives Expected sustainability of the project Project’s results in enhancing local, regional and interregional partnerships The jury will consider these criteria and how well they have been met when considering the applications.

3.3 Eligibility Criteria - Category 6 Demonstration that the project has received ERDF, ESF or Cohesion Fund after 1.1.2000. The web site must refer to the 2007-2013 programming period and/or present the achievements and results of the previous programming period. The site must be currently in use and available online.

3.5 Award Criteria - for category 6 User-friendly, attractive web design involving use of available technologies Presenting in an informative, efficient and creative way the role of the Community and showing the EU added value through the programme. Reliability and quality of the web site contents

3.6 RegioStars 2010 - Rules Completed application forms submitted by 17 July 2009 to: regio-stars@ec.europa.eu Submitted by Regional Managing Authority (Interregional Cooperation or Urban projects – submitted by managing authority of lead partner). One application under one of the Categories 1-2 One application under one of the Categories 3-5 One application under Category 6 Project must have been funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund or the Cohesion Fund. It is up to the Managing Bodies to decide on a how to proceed with the selection of the application to be put forward. A maximum of three applications per region will be accepted under each categories. Each NUTS 2 regions may submit one candidate project across the two CityStars themes Each NUTS 2 regions may submit one candidate project across the three ICT themes Each NUTS 1 or 2 region may submit one candidate website linked to a relevant operational programme.

4. RegioStars 2009 were awarded 16 February 2009

4.2 RegioStars 2009 – Winners (1) Category 1: Research, Technological Development and Innovation DIPLE Printing Technologies - Wales, UK Cenaero Recherches - Hainaut, Belgium Category 2: Adaptation to or mitigation of climate change Centrale de production d'électricité photovoltaïque en milieu tropical, - Ile de la Réunion, France EnergyAgency.NRW, - North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany Of the 20 shortlisted finalists, 5 winners were chosen by the 2009 RegioStars Jury.

4.3 RegioStars 2009 – Winners (2) Category 3: Audiovisual spot or programme highlighting the contribution of Cohesion Policy “Do you know about ESPA?“ - Greece Two other projects received special mentions from the Jury: ROADEX – Interreg project - Lead partner Västerbotten, Sweden SpaceInnovation SAAR, - Saarland, Germany

RegioStars Application form and information available on: http://ec