Regional Innovation Award

Since 2006, the RIA aims at honouring European Regional Authorities’ actions which have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their territory. It aims at promoting best practices as well as to demonstrate how regions can contribute to regional economic welfare. The AER award is tailor-made for regions and thus focuses on specific aspects that are relevant for regional development. This prize is of symbolic value and produces a significant return in terms of image and visibility for the winning regions.

The RIA 2016 edition targets initiatives on the circular economy and the deadline for sending applications for the call is 30 September 2016.

The Award will be presented by European Commissioner Karmenu Vella on 30 November 2016 in Brussels.

The AER Regional Innovation Award is open to initiatives taking place in any region belonging to a country member of the Council of Europe, be they AER members or not. The initiatives presented can either be a project or a strategy, where the region is involved at one stage or another. All types of projects are eligible as long as they are sustainable and innovative projects with a focus on the circular economy. More information can be found on the eligibility and evaluation criteria here below.

Although previous winning initiatives covered such varied sectors, they all had common characteristics which allowed them to attain the prize. They all had a narrow focus, clearly defined indicators, high quality monitoring and evaluation systems and stablished a permanent dialogue with stakeholders. This year, AER calls for all European regions to come and apply to the award, with always more daring, ambitious, innovative projects.

The initiatives submitted will be evaluated by an independent professional jury on the basis of five criteria: sustainability, innovation, equal opportunities, gender equality and impact.

Application

The applications are now closed. The results will be made available during the official ceremony on 30 November.

Documents and information

Awarding process

1. Deadline for application: 30 September 2016
2. Shortlisting of candidacies: 15 October 2016
3. Jury meeting: 10 November 2016
4. Awarding ceremony: 30 November 2016

Contacts

Email: info(at)aer.eu
Phone: +33 6 24 29 19 37

Previous winners

#ShineBright Promoting sustainability, taste & equality in Jämtand & Härjedalen

On the occasion of this year Regional Innovation Award on Circular Economy, ShineBright on the regions of Jämtand and Härjedalen in Sweden that presented their project Food In Action. The initiative aims at creating successful, sustainable concepts, experiences and brands within the field of sustainable, creative gastronomy. It promotes new ways to grow, serve and enjoy food.  Its moto: GOOD FOOD revolves around 3 key words: sustainable, taste and equality. Food In Action believes that these 3 ingredients are the perfect recipe of regional force for sustainable growth! FIA collaborates with all sectors and across cultures to promote equality, trust and raise awareness to design profitable ecosystems. The programme aspire to a true green, social, cultural and local economic development. Food In Action founded eco and ...

#ShineBright Västerbotten’ sustainable & innovative social development

On the Occasion of the Regional Innovation Award on Circular Economy, ShineBright on the region of Västerbotten, in Sweden that presented its project The Innovation Loop – an ecosystem for Open Social Innovation. The main purpose is to create the best possible atmosphere and excellent opportunities for ideas and innovation to flourish. The Innovation Loop is designed to create sustainable regional social development. It is an open platform that wants to engage every sector of society – students, politicians, scientists, seniors, entrepreneurs, etc;-. – and give them the opportunity to be the change they want to see in the world. The process is then simple to adapt for both national and international regions, communities and organisations. The initiative, led by citizens, takes part ...

#ShineBright Sustainable cities in Timis

On the Occasion of the Regional Innovation Award on Circular Economy, ShineBright on the region of Timis, in Romania that presented its project on Urbanize Hub. The start-up, Urbanize Hub, is an online platform built around the idea of urban development and oriented towards the study and promotion of sustainable future cities. The initiative is covering the following topics: Urban Regeneration: housing, inclusion, architecture and design, civil society actions, Future Cities: technology and innovation, green cities, Community Ideas & Opinions: a space for experts in the field to contribute with ideas and solutions for cities, Projects & Cities: example of good practice for others Renewable Energy: how it can be used practically and creatively to make a city more sustainable, Waste Management Circular Economy It aims to involve experts, public ...

#ShineBright Brussels Region’s shift to circular economy

On the Occasion of the Regional Innovation Award on Circular Economy, ShineBright on the Brussels Region, in Belgium that presented its Program for a Circular Economy (BRPCE). On the initiative of 3 regional Ministries he Brussels Region has adopted in March 2016 a global strategy for moving from a linear to a circular economy: The Brussels Regional Program for a Circular Economy (BRPCE). In terms of circular economy, the Brussels region faces tremendous challenges as revealed in a recent study : 9 million tons of resources imported every year (22kg/inhabitant/day) 7 million tons of resources exported per year (16kg/inhabitant/day) 1,3 million tons of waste are exported/year (average of 2kg/habitant/day). This BRPCE is an integrated strategy englobing 111 measures covering both transversal, governance, territorial and sectorial topics for ...

#ShineBright Vojvodina improves waste management systems

On the Occasion of the Regional Innovation Award on Circular Economy, ShineBright on the region of Vojvodina, in Serbia that presented its project on a Regional Waste Management Center. The overall objective of the project is to develop an EU-standard integrated sustainable solid waste management system in the region of Zrenjanin, Vojvodina. In the region, there is no control, treatment or systematic monitoring  of emissions, leachate waters or landfill gas. In that sense, the initiative aims to build a regional sanitary landfill; a composting facility; a transfer station; local recycling centres. Adding  improvements to waste collection services and the closure and rehabilitation of selected existing waste disposal sites. Improvements in the waste management system will contribute to significant improvement of health and environmental conditions ...

#ShineBright Zuid Holland ‘biological revolution’

On the Occasion of the Regional Innovation Award on Circular Economy, ShineBright on the region of Zuid Holland, and more especially the village of Berkel en Rodenrijs in Netherlands that presented its project on Biological Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture. The initiative started in 1967, where Jan Koppert set out to reduce the usage of chemicals in commercial indoor agriculture. Koppert Biological Systems has introduced a range of biological solutions that has changed the horticulture industry and caused a ‘biological revolution’. Today, European commercial indoor agriculture is almost free of harmful chemicals. The impact? Healthier, cleaner food for consumers, a safer working environment for growers and less damage to nature. After revolutionising horticulture, Koppert wants to spark a similar revolution in commercial outdoor agriculture. In 2015, Koppert introduced ...

Noord-Brabant encourages bio-based economy – #ShineBright

On the Occasion of the Regional Innovation Award on Circular Economy, ShineBright on the region of Noord-Brabant, in Netherlands that presented its project Green Chemistry Campus: Waste2Aromatics project by Biorizon. The Green Chemistry Campus is a business accelerator for developing biobased chemical building blocks for the chemical industry. The Campus thus contributes to the realisation of a biobased economy. One of the multiple programs and projects that are hosted by the Campus is Shared Research Center Biorizon. It’s aim is to develop technologies to produce aromatics from organic waste. Aromatics are one of the main feedstocks of the chemical industry, constituting 40% of the total market. Currently, these are exclusively produced from fossil sources, generating considerable CO2 emissions. Biobased aromatics reduce dependence ...

And the winner is…

The region of Brussels-Capital (BE) and the Province of Noord-Brabant (NL) were recognised in the 10th AER Regional Innovation Award on 30 November in the framework of the series of events on “Investing in the future: new perspectives for the regions”. The award ceremony was hosted by BNP Paribas Fortis and handed over by the AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli and Mr Jean-Luc Vanraes, President of AER Committee on Economy and regional development. In this edition, the Award aimed at recognising initiatives in the field of circular economy. The jury decided to recognise two projects in the framework of the Regional Innovation Award: 2016 AER Regional Innovation Award to Brussels-Capital Region (BE) for the initiative “Brussels Regional Program for a Circular Economy (BRPCE)” & 2016 Special ...

One month to apply for the Regional Innovation Award!

The Assembly of European Regions calls all regions in our continent to look at the successful stories of innovation in their territories in the field of Circular Economy. What is Circular Economy? Circular Economy is a new way of doing things. It is time to overcome the old model of linear economy: resources-production-distribution-consumption-waste. Natural resources are finite, so it is a matter of responsibility to find an environmentally and economically sustainable strategy to use them. According to the EU definition, “in a circular economy the value of products and materials is maintained for as long as possible; waste and resource use are minimised, and resources are kept within the economy when a product has reached the end of its life, to be used again and again to create ...

Do you remember the winners of the 2007 edition of the Regional Innovation Award?

The AER team is preparing the Regional Innovation Award 2016 and we came across some pictures of previous awarded regions. Here you can see the winners of the 2007 Communicating Europe awards: Extremadura Region (ES), the region of Lower Austria (AT), and Sisak-Moslavina (HR) together with the President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso. On teh category Innovation, the winners were Lower Austria (AT), Comunidad Valenciana (ES) and Upper Austria (AT). The 2007 edition of our awards focused on three main areas: Innovation, Communicating Europe, and Most Youth-Friendly European Region. About the Regional Innovation Award Since 2006, the RIA aims at honouring European Regional Authorities’ actions which have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their territory. The RIA 2016 edition targets projects on the circular economy. The deadline for sending ...

The circular economy: challenges and enablers for SMEs

SMEs represent 99% of businesses in Europe thus they are the backbone of the European Union’s economy. Adopting a “circular economy” business model will not only decrease resource consumption but will bring competitive advantage and open new markets to companies. Nevertheless,  SMEs often encounter different types of barriers and challenges for which they need practical, legal, and of course, financial support. The financial aspect is one of the major barriers when adopting sustainable practices by SMEs. On the other hand, SMEs might have difficulties to understand the processes of accessing funds, EU or government grants due to lack of time and staff. The lack of government support and effective legislation is also recognised as an obstacle. Sometimes these barriers might be found ...

Join Värmland in the way to innovation and become the next winner of the Regional Innovation Award

The 2014 Regional Innovation Award (RIA) was awarded to Värmland County Council (SE) following the building of a hospital in Karlstad, which aimed at monitoring and assessing an environmentally conscious choice of materials, as well as phasing out harmful chemicals in the construction of a new department for premature babies at the hospital. The prize was officially presented in Brussels on 18 March 2014 in the framework of a round table on the future of European industrial policy.   Do you want to become the next winner of the Regional Innovation Award? This is what you need to know! About the Regional Innovation Award Since 2006, the RIA aims at honouring European Regional Authorities’ actions which have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their ...

Follow Wielkopolska’s lead: become the next Regional Innovation Award winner

The 2011 edition of the Regional Innovation prize was awarded in Ponta Delgada, Açores (P) on the 25 November 2011 to the project “Promoter of Innovation” presented by the region of Wielkopolska (PL). This initiative aimed at providing capital, legal advice, technical know-how and other services to facilitate the development of knowledge-based SMEs. President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso gave a speech during the ceremony.                   “This year’s edition of the Regional Innovation Award is of particular importance as it will address the issue of Circular Economy. We look forward to promoting regional initiatives in this area, showing once again that regions are motors of economic growth and on the starting blocks in terms of developing policies and actions in ...

Join Västra Götaland in the ranks of top innovative regions

In 2009, the region of Västra Götaland (SE) was awarded the AER Regional Innovation Award (RIA) for its project “Industrial Dynamics” which was regognised by the jury for stimulating innovation in the region and promoting industrial companiesʼ growth and stronger competitiveness through more forceful exploitation of development potential and support for innovation. “The jury was particularly impressed by the quantitative independently evaluated. There was a clear focus on the regionʼs potential. Finally, this initiative is politically backed and is based on a strong existing demand.”  Dr. Joachim Hafkesbring President Technology Transfer and Innovation (TII) About the Regional Innovation Award Since 2006, the RIA aims at honouring European Regional Authorities’ actions which have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their territory. The RIA 2016 edition targets projects on the circular economy. The deadline for sending applications for the ...

Join Noord-Brabant amongst the winners of the AER Regional Innovation Award

In 2008, the Provice of Noord-Brabant (NL) was awarded the AER Regional Innovation Award (RIA) for their Innovative Actions Braban program 3 (IAB-3) which was regognised by the jury for stimulating innovation in the Province and finding smart solutions for the ageing population.   “This project targets one of the most significant social predicaments facing Europeans and citizens around the world: an ageing population. Noord Brabant suggests an innovative approach to proactively deal with a major societal challenge.” Susanne Justesen Innovation Advisor, Ph.D, Innoversity Copenhagen About the Regional Innovation Award Since 2006, the RIA aims at honouring European Regional Authorities’ actions which have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their territory. The RIA 2016 edition targets projects on the circular economy. The deadline for sending applications for the call is 15 June 2016 and ...

The circular economy: opportunity or threat?

The circular economy is becoming a central topic in policy and business circles. It is presented as the sustainable alternative to the traditional linear model of economic growth, which has already reached its limits. The linear economy is based on ‘take-make-use-dispose’, whereas the circular economy encourages the reparability of products and the reuse of materials. But, what is exactly the circular economy? It entails a change in the whole economic paradigm, from the first stages of product design, to the production process and waste management in order to convert waste into useful resources. In this model, the resources are minimised and the live of the materials is prolonged. There is a considerable decrease of waste as when a product has reached ...

The Regional Innovation Award is back !

The run up for the 8th Regional Innovation Award has started! The Regional Innovation Award (RIA) is one of AER’s many tools to highlight and share good practices of regions to the whole network. Over the years, numerous regions have been recognised for their efforts in different fields. In 2016, the Innovation Award is back and aims to identify regional actions in favour of the very topical “circular economy”. Don’t miss your chance to apply. All information is available here.  

Regions make innovation happen: Värmland County wins the AER Regional Innovation Award 2014

Brussels, Bruxelles-Capitale (BE), 18 March 2014 Can innovation save the industrial sector? Recommendations to the European Council: This week, the European Council will underline the importance of a strong and competitive European industrial base, building on the Commission’s recent Communication on the new reform package for the future European Union (EU) industrial policy. At the occasion of two round tables held yesterday in the Press Club Europe, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) representatives: Acknowledged the role of innovation as a key growth factor for Europe’s industry. Recommended a serious governance shift, placing the Regions at the heart of Europe’s innovation and industrial policy. Identified territorial attractiveness and education as two of the major challenges for European regions to make innovation happen and save the industrial sector. Insisted ...

MORE4NRG final conference: It is time for results!

Almere, Flevoland (NL), 10th June 2011 For the last three years, MORE4NRG project has helped 11 European regions develop strategies that explore their energy potentials and improve their energy efficiency more effectively. The Assembly of European Regions (AER), as a project partner, contributed to the success of this initiative with its unique peer review methodology. First step – Peer reviews: making assessment of regional energy policies In the framework of the project, the energy policies of five regions including Maramures (RO), Western Greece (GR), Gabrovo (BG) and Prahova (RO) in 2009, as well as Abruzzo (I) in 2010, were reviewed by their counterparts through a series of tailored peer reviews, conducted under AER coordination. “The outcomes of these audits are more than satisfying”; said Anne ...

The Regional Innovation Award 2011: Be the next winners!

Strasbourg (F), 22nd February 2011.  The application forms for the 2011 edition of the Regional Innovation Award has just opened, hereby marking the launch of a 6th year of interregional competition for innovation. Contribute to a better visibility of regional innovation initiatives  Besides the fact that the AER award offers the possibility to obtain investment opportunities, it also allows the regions to promote their territory on the European scene. “Winning the AER Regional Innovation Award did not only increase our visibility amongst other European regions but contributed to ongoing support for the prized project in the region” says Eugeniusz Romanski of the Silesian Centre for Information, Slaskie (PL), one of the 2009 winner. ”We are now sharing the benefits of the project with our colleagues from other departments ...

AER 2010 Awards for the regional best practices in the fields of ‘Communicating Europe’ and ‘Innovation’ go to…

The best Communicating Europe Region 2010 Istanbul (TR), 12 November 2010. The Assembly of European Regions (AER) awarded this year the French Region of Rhône-Alpes for its project “Support and information campaign for project holders in Rhône-Alpes”. Aimed at communicating in a creative and different way the European Funds, the project was mainly addressed to projects holders and to media. Thanks to this massive communication on a rather technical and operational matter, Rhône-Alpes succeeded in bringing Europe closer to its citizens, making it more accessible and tangible. Moreover, the project resulted in a better use of EU funds in the region, as further projects were presented afterwards. Through a series of twelve workshops, the creation of a dedicated webpage, the publication of a ...

AER Innovation Award: Kick off of the 5th edition

Strasbourg, 22 February 2010 Today, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) launches its 5th Innovation Award. Since 2006, AER awards Europe’s most innovative regions. In 2009, the Regions of Slaskie (P) and Västra Götaland (S) have received this prestigious prize from the hands of AER President Michèle Sabban. “These regions symbolise Europe’s future: they identified their potential and developed a strategy that helped them reaching new frontiers, achieving new performances, developing new concepts. This is a Europe of innovative regions, this is a Europe of dynamic territories, this is our Europe, the Europe AER has been fighting for since its creation”Mrs Sabban underlined. The region of Heraklion (GR) was also honoured with a special recognition prize. This year, AER calls for all European regions ...

Communicating Europe, Innovation and Youth: AER awards Europe’s the most dynamic regions of 2009

The AER Communicating Europe Award 2009 Belfort (F), 27th November 2009. The Assembly of European Regions (AER) has honoured three regions with is “Communicating Europe Award”. In the category Children and Young People, the prize goes to the Croatian Medjimurje County for its project “A B C D Europe”. This project convinced the jury with its creativity and originality on a small budget. It addresses a very specific target group – children in kindergarten and primary schools. Fifty kindergartens and 32 primary schools were reached by the project involving more then 20 000 children. The jury liked the original concept of involving these young kids in talking about Europe through activities that were entertaining as well as educational.  Vesna Heluga, head of the ...

Communicating Europe and Innovation: AER awards the most dynamic European regions of 2008

Tampere (FIN), 14 November 2008. Communicating Europe to citizens The Assembly of European Regions (AER) has honoured two regions with its “Communicating Europe to citizens” Award. In the category Regional Media, the prize goes to the French region of Centre for its project “The week of Europe”. Bernard Valette, Vice-President in charge of International Relations of Centre, said: “We made the week of Europe, but not only a week: our region will pursue its mission in bringing together around Europe politicians and citizens for the benefit of everybody.”” The winner of the category Children and Youth was the Hungarian region Heves for its project “Europe classrooms”. “The importance of education to make Europe understandable and relevant for future generations is recognised by everybody, ...

AER launches 2008 Award for Innovative Regions

At a time when the 2007 European Innovation Scoreboard shows the continued progress of innovative performance within the EU, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) is pleased to be able to recognise those European regional authorities that have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their territory. The regions have significantly contributed to Europe’s increasing innovativeness, which is why AER, together with the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia (I), instigated in 2006 an award for the most innovative European regions. AER is today launching the award for a third time, and is calling for entries from every region willing to showcase its innovative work. The deadline for submission of applications is 1st June 2008. The award will be officially presented during the AER ...

The AER Awards 2007 AER honours innovative, communicative, and youth-friendly regions

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) presented awards this week to regions that have shown exceptional results this year in three fields: Innovation, Communicating Europe, and Most Youth-Friendly European Region. The awards were presented during AER’s General Assembly 2007, which is being hosted this week by the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy. ‘This year’s General Assembly has focused on regions as ‘building blocks for Europe”, Riccardo Illy, AER President and President of Friuli Venezia Giulia, said during the award ceremony. ‘We are presenting these awards to regions that are already putting those blocks into place.’ ‘Communicating Europe’ Award AER’s first ever ‘Communicating Europe’ Award has been established to encourage regions to further promote the relevance of Europe to their citizens. 1st prize: Extremadura ...

AER Innovation Award 2007

For the 2nd time the AER and the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia (I) give an award to the most innovative European Region For more information: info@aer.eu

European Award for Innovative Regions: Winners are Aragón, Vorarlberg and Steiermark

The Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia-I and the Assembly of European Regions (AER) have issued the 1st European Award for Innovative Regions. This Prize aims at honouring European Regional Authorities’ actions, which have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their territory. Its goal is to promote best practices, as well as to demonstrate how regions can contribute to regional economic welfare. The 2007 Winners of this competition are the Spanish Region of Aragón with the project ‘Innov100: starting Innovation activities in 100 companies’, and two Austrian Länder, Vorarlberg with its ‘ Office for future related issues’ project andSteiermark with the ‘Regional Internationalisation Strategy’ project. A total of 18 regions handed in their applications, among them 11 applied from Western Europe, 7 ...

European Award for Innovative Regions

Together with the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia the AER awards the prize for the most innovative region on the InnovAction on February 15-18th, 2007 in Udine, Italy. Applicants need to fill in the form on page 9 and 10 of the brochure (see pdf document below). Please send the completed form by fax or email to: Stephanie von Hayek, Press & Communications Email: s.vonhayek@a-e-r.org Phone: 0033 388 22 74 46 Fax: 0033 388 75 67 19 The deadline for submitting applications is the 31st december 2006. For more information: info@aer.eu