REGIOSTARS awards is open again, and POCTEP projects are invited to apply. IMPORTANT: Only Interreg projects that started no earlier than 1 January 2014 and are completed are eligible. A project is considered completed if it has carried out all planned activities, received its final financial contribution, and has been officially closed by the project beneficiary and/or the Managing Authority.
If you are interested in submitting your POCTEP project, please contact the Joint Secretariat (JS).
For more information, please refer to the news published by the European Commission:
REGIOSTARS has been organized annually by DG REGIO since 2008. Over the years, it has become Europe’s label of excellence for EU-funded projects that demonstrate the impact and inclusivity of regional development.
The 2025 edition of the REGIOSTARS is launched!
The European wide search for the best cohesion policy projects in 2025 has begun.
Has your project created a positive impact locally? Was something new developed as part of it? Did it bring your region further economically, socially or environmentally? Do the results continue to deliver even after the project ended? Could it be rolled-out across Europe?
If “yes!”, submit your application to the REGIOSTARS contest before 20 May 2025 via the EU Survey REGIOSTARS application form
As in previous year, the projects compete in five categories familiar from the cohesion policy objectives. The competition categories are:
- Category 1: A COMPETITIVE AND SMART EUROPE
- Category 2: A GREEN EUROPE
- Category 3: A CONNECTED EUROPE
- Category 4: A SOCIAL AND INCLUSIVE EUROPE
- Category 5: A EUROPE CLOSER TO THE CITIZENS
A REGIOSTARS jury composed of high-level academics will assess the submitted project applications and then select the winners of five categories in second selection phase organised as part of the EURegionsWeek in Brussels, in October. In addition, the public will decide on its own winner among 25 finalists through a public on-line vote. The winners will be announced at the festive REGIOSTARS ceremony, the highlight of the EURegionsWeek. As part of their prize, the winners will receive a mini-promotion campaign for their project.
A flavour of the 2024 REGIOSTARS Ceremony
Every year, there are more REGIOSTARS applications than the year before, and we’re looking forward to yet another record-breaking year. Join us by applying!
How to apply?
All applications are submitted this year via EU Survey. Below you will find documents to help you through-out the application process:
- Guide for applicants: competition categories, eligibility and award criteria, timeline of the competition process, and conversion table to identify the likely competition category.
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ): questions and answers from eligibility and selection process, submitting the application, to what happens if you’re selected as the winner.
- Application form(template): to facilitate the preparatory work and support collaboration between project promoters in drafting the application. Please note that only applications submitted via the EU survey are considered eligible. The applications can be submitted in all official EU languages.
- Endorsement letter (template): All applications must be accompanied with the endorsement letter signed by managing authority.
Link to the application form: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/REGIOSTARS-2025-application-form