Cohesion Policy: Commission announces winners of the 2019 RegioStars awards

Yesterday evening, the European Commission announced the winners of the 2019 RegioStars awards, Europe’s awards for the most outstanding Cohesion Policy projects. The projects competed in five categories. For “Promoting digital transformation” (1st category) the award went to Energy Cells GR, a cross-border cooperation project between Germany, Belgium, France and Luxembourg for sustainable energy consumption and innovative renewable energy production in the Greater Region. CobBauge, from the UK, was given the award for “Connecting green, blue and grey” (2nd category), for its development of walling material using earth and fibers. The award for “Combatting inequalities and poverty” (3rd category) went to Good Support, from Poland, an online platform which connects the inhabitants of the Zachodniopomorskie region to local social services. Climate Active Neighbourhoods (CAN), a joint Belgian, French, German, Dutch and UK project, was given the award in the 4th category, “Building climate-resilient cities”. It promotes locally-led strategies to increase energy efficiency for households in deprived urban areas. For “Modernising health services” (5th category) the award went to Orsi Academy, from Belgium, a training and expertise centre in the field of new techniques in minimally invasive surgery and robotic surgery. Finally, the public choice award was given to CityWalk from the Interreg ProgrammeDanube, which helps cities in the Danube Region become more walkable.