Emerging Europe has been organising its awards programme since 2018.
To elevate the programme further, we have incorporated it into The Future of Emerging Europe project.
The Future of Emerging Europe Summit & Award ceremony took place in Brussels on 15 September 2021.
Previous editions of the programme were covered by over 100 outlets across Europe and the world every year — whilst the hashtag #EEAwards averaged three million impressions on Twitter.
Applications for the 2022 Awards will open in Q1 2022.
21 AWARD CATEGORIES
centred around The Future of Emerging Europe's five pillars
PEOPLE
categories
Future-proof Education Initiative of the Year
This category is open to organisations operating in emerging Europe which have implemented successful projects and initiatives aimed at improving education and lifelong learning in the digital age.
Health and Social Care Initiative of the Year
This category is open to organisations operating in emerging Europe which have implemented successful projects and initiatives that facilitate innovative and accessible healthcare, improving longevity and quality of life.
Young Empowerment Initiative of the Year
This category covers initiatives implemented by organisations operating in emerging Europe whose goals are to increase young people’s opportunities, awareness, self-confidence and engagement in society.
Artistic Achievement of the Year
This category is open to works of art and/or artists who contributed to improving or strengthening the positive image of the region and/or its people globally.
PLANET
categories
Green Energy Initiative of the Year
This category is open to organisations operating in emerging Europe which implemented successful projects and initiatives lowering the social and economic costs of energy transition, contributing to generating clean energy and decarbonisation, and enhancing energy security and regional collaboration.
Sustainable lifestyles Initiative of the Year
This category is open to organisations operating in emerging Europe which have implemented successful projects and initiatives aimed at improving waste management and building a circular economy, encouraging responsible production and consumption (industry, mobility, agriculture) and eliminating pollution.
PROSPERITY
categories
People-first Economy Initiative of the Year
This category is open to organisations operating in emerging Europe which implemented successful projects and initiatives aiming at closing the urban-rural development and income divide, contributing to the future of the labour market; and building conscious capitalism.
Inclusive Entrepreneurship Initiative of the Year
This category is open to organisations operating in emerging Europe which implemented successful projects and initiatives encouraging and supporting social and business innovation, strengthening start-up ecosystems and tech hubs, enhancing digital transformation and technological advancements.
Global Champion of the Year
This category is open to companies from the emerging Europe region - headquartered in one of the emerging Europe countries - that started or strengthened operations outside the region in 2020, organically or through acquisition.
Foreign Investor of the Year
This category is open to foreign investors who had a positive impact on a country or region in emerging Europe in 2020, such as creating new jobs or developing a specific sector.
Investment Promotion Agency of the Year (Emerging Europe research)
This category assesses the performance of 23 national agencies promoting their countries as an attractive foreign direct investment destinations.
Applications are not open for this category. The results will derive from Emerging Europe's research.
Business-Friendly City of the Year (Emerging Europe survey)
This category looks at six aspects — business climate, infrastructure and connectivity, pool of talent, quality of life, local authority support, economic potential - in a survey run amongst global location experts.
Applications are not open for this category. The results derive from Emerging Europe's survey with site selection and FDI experts and can be accessed HERE.
PARTNERSHIP
categories
Regional Collaboration Initiative of the Year
This category is open to organisations operating in emerging Europe which implemented successful projects and initiatives aiming at creating a shared agenda on a local, national, regional and global level, sharing knowledge, experience and best practice, smart city development and encouraging collaboration with international organisations and with other parts of the world.
Modern and Future-proof Policymaking Initiative of the Year
This category is open to organisations operating in emerging Europe which implemented successful projects and initiatives aiming at foresight-based strategic development planning, evidence-based and inclusive legislation and policy evaluation and promoted the leaders and leadership of the future.
PEACE
categories
Democracy and the Rule of Law Initiative of the Year
This category is open to organisations operating in emerging Europe which implemented successful projects and initiatives promoting equality, inclusion and respect for human rights, participative democracy, free and fair elections, public governance and the separation of powers.
Media Freedom and Responsible Reporting Initiative of the Year
This category is open to organisations operating in emerging Europe which implemented successful projects and initiatives aimed at strengthening media pluralism and diversity, supporting and empowering independent journalism and journalists and tackling misinformation, disinformation and false news.
INDIVIDUALS
categories
Young Influencer of the Year
This category is open to young people, no older than 30 years old on January 1, 2020 who — through politics, social activism, other activity or by their own example — influenced society in their community, country or in the wider region, for the better, in 2020.
Female Business Leader of the Year
This category identifies women in leadership roles who made a significant and inspirational contribution to the success of their organisations in 2020. It also seeks to reward those who are working to encourage other women to develop careers and who have made mentoring the next generation of leaders in business a significant component of their own success.
Public Figure of the Year (selected by Emerging Europe)
This category identifies political leaders who, in 2020, through their activities and policies promoted and strengthened democratic values and the rule of law, contributed to the fight against corruption and improved the business climate in their country.
Applications are not open for this category. The winner will be chosen by Emerging Europe.
Marina Sturdza Award (selected by the Emerging Europe Council)
The laureate of this Award is chosen by the Emerging Europe Council and is presented to a major figure from within the emerging Europe region who has contributed greatly to its development.
Applications are not open for this category. The winner will be chosen by the Emerging Europe Council.
Günter Verheugen Award (selected by the Emerging Europe Council)
The laureate of this Award is chosen by the Emerging Europe Council and is presented to a major figure from outside the emerging Europe region who has contributed greatly to its development.
Applications are not open for this category. The winner will be chosen by the Emerging Europe Council.
