Communicating Europe and Innovation:

AER awards the most dynamic European regions of 2008

Tampere (FIN), 14 November 2008.

Photos (AER/Arno Fougeres) available at www.aer.eu

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.""

Center Region Winner of AER's Communication Award 2008

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, but we are happy to show concretely that statement through our project. This AER recognition is important to us, and we stay at the disposal of every European region that is interested in organising such a project," said Jozsef Merczel, Vice-President of Heves General Assembly.

Heves Region Winner of AER's Communication Award 2008

"Centre’s project is a great example of dedicated and effective regional communication with citizens, and Heves has shown how much can be done with a very small budget," the jury underlined.

Mauri Pekkarinen, Finland's Minister of Economic Affairs, handed over the award to both regions. Since 2007, the AER’s annual Communicating Europe award has raised awareness about regional communication on European affairs.

The significance of the award has been demonstrated further by the fact that last year's winner, Sisak-Moslavina (HR), has since had its budget doubled by the Croatian Ministry of Foreign affairs and European Integration.  

The most innovative European region
AER also presented today its “Award for Innovative Regions”, which this year went to the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant.

Onno Hoes, Regional Minister, said: "I am personally so proud that this project, built in the spirit of support to innovation and entrepreneurship, is awarded by AER. It brings together civil society, companies and local and regional stakeholders to the crucial question of ageing in our populations. This award is not an end in itself; on the contrary, it motivates us to go on. Our region will develop more initiatives on the ground and get even more stakeholders involved, in order to spread the benefits of innovation to all our citizens."

Noord-Brabant Region Winner of AER's Innovation Award 2008

Established in 2006, this Award recognises the European regional authorities that have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their territory.

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together more than 270 regions from 33 countries and 13 interregional organisations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation.

AER Contacts:
Richard Medic, Spokesperson / Director of Press and Communications, r.medic@aer.eu - Tel (mob) +33 678 695 235
Francine Huhardeaux, Press and Communications Officer, f.huhardeaux@aer.eu - Tel. +33 3 88 22 74 49