EEPA 2024 has officially launched!

These awards showcase examples of the best entrepreneurship policies and practices, create a greater awareness of the role entrepreneurs play in society, and encourage and inspire future entrepreneurs and those who promote them. 

There are 6 categories within the awards: 

• Promoting the entrepreneurial spirit   

• Investing in entrepreneurial skills   

• Supporting the digital transition   

• Improving the business environment and supporting the internationalisation of business  

• Supporting the sustainable transition   

• Responsible and inclusive entrepreneurship   

In addition, there is the Grand Jury Prize which is awarded to the most creative and inspiring entry across all categories. 

The competition has two stages: a national competition from which successful entrants are selected to enter the European stage. 

The competition culminates in a prestigious awards ceremony held during the SME Assembly, where the winner for each category is announced. This year’s SME Assembly will be held in the beautiful city of Budapest (Hungary) from 18 to 20 November 2024, with the national winners entering the European stage of the competition invited to attend. The event is a real highlight of the Assembly, with live performances and the highest levels of innovation on display. Check out our EEPA 2023 highlights video to get a taste of the excitement of this fantastic finale!         

Here is what past winners themselves have said: 

Municipality of Lublin and Maria Curie Skłodowska University, Poland, on the impact of winning an EEPA reward: 

“We received many congratulations for the success of the Entrepreneurial Kids project internationally. The press wrote about our achievement as the result of our work, which increased our visibility. Also, we received proposals for cooperation with other European countries as well as from cities from Poland that are also interested in implementing the assumptions of our project.” 

Greek Association of Women Entrepreneurs (SEGE), on the experience of winning an EEPA award: 

“I do not think I can describe our feeling, we almost felt like winning an Oscar!” 

Want to find out more? Check out the EEPA 2023 Compendium for details of the winners and shortlisted entries from last year. 

If you have an exciting initiative that you would like to share with the European SME community, contact the national coordinator for your country here: 

How to participate - European Commission (europa.eu)  

or contact ann [dot] garrottloweurope [dot] eu (ann[dot]garrott[at]loweurope[dot]eu.)