"There are many inspiring initiatives and projects promoting entrepreneurship in Lithuania. Entrepreneurship is crucial for the country's progress and contributes to economic growth and innovation development. We are investing in promoting entrepreneurship and continuously improving the business environment - last year we allocated more than €30 million to support entrepreneurship. According to the World Innovation Index, we are currently ranked 9th in the world in terms of entrepreneurship policies and entrepreneurial culture," said Aušrinė Armonaitė, Minister of the Economy and Innovation.
The aim of the awards, which have been held in Europe for 19 years, is to highlight outstanding public and private sector initiatives that promote entrepreneurship and improve the business environment.
The selection process takes place in two stages. Only the winners of the first national selection will be considered for the European Award for the Promotion of Entrepreneurship. The final winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in November 2024.
"These awards are an opportunity to share our success stories with the rest of Europe. At the same time, these successful examples of public-private cooperation are a source of inspiration for business and change. The awards also reward initiatives that promote socially responsible, inclusive and sustainable business practices," said Ieva Valeškaitė, Deputy Minister of the Economy and Innovation.
Entrants can apply for one of six nominations: promoting entrepreneurship, investing in entrepreneurial skills, supporting digital transformation, improving the business environment and promoting international business development, financing sustainable change and responsible business. The jury will also award a Grand Prize for the most creative and inspiring entrepreneurship initiative in Europe. It will be selected from each category.
The Award for Fostering the Entrepreneurial Spirit recognises initiatives for cooperation at national, regional or local level. Special attention will be given to youth and women entrepreneurship. The Award for Investment in Entrepreneurial Skills recognises initiatives aimed at improving entrepreneurial, management and employee skills. The Digital Transformation Support Award recognises initiatives that support the digital transformation of enterprises by enabling the creation or use of digital technologies.
The Award for Improving the Business Environment and Promoting the International Development of Enterprises recognises innovative policies and initiatives at national, regional or local level that make Europe the most attractive place to start, grow and expand a business within the Single Market. The Sustainable Transformation Financing Award recognises policies and initiatives at national, regional or local level that promote sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. The Responsible Business Award rewards initiatives that promote corporate social responsibility and business development among vulnerable groups.
Last year's national winners were the "Pamokos matuojasi Panevėžį" initiative of the Panevėžys Development Agency and the "Future - for electronics" project of Kaunas IN. The initiative "Pamokos matuojasi Panevėžį", which won in the category "Investment in entrepreneurial skills", gives teams of students and teachers the opportunity to solve challenges posed by companies.
The "Future for Electronics" project, which won in the "Improving the Business Environment and Promoting International Business Development" category, aims to increase the attractiveness of electronics studies in Kaunas for students and to respond to the growing demand for electronics professionals.
More information about the awards and the application form can be found here.
