Europe’s most enterprising towns, villages and entrepreneurs are to be officially recognised for boosting the continent’s entrepreneurial spirit from the grass roots upwards, the Government has confirmed.
Speaking at Enterprising Britain 2005, Alan Johnston MP welcomed the inaugural European Enterprise Awards - that will foster small business by each member state sharing innovative policies that aid enterprise at local and regional levels.
The awards, introduced by the UK in its Presidency of the EU, intend to create a higher awareness of the role entrepreneurs play in society, with the view to encouraging budding entrepreneurs across the continent to step forward.
Five separate awards will acknowledge Europe-wide schemes that best promote an enterprise culture, cut red tape, promote businesses in disadvantaged areas, enhance links between education and business, and offer “sustainable” yet “responsible” business practices.
Their unveiling by the European Commission comes in the same week that enterprising Brits are being encouraged to take part in Enterprise Week – a UK-wide scheme designed to boost young people’s role in business.
The UK Trade and Industry Secretary acknowledged the timing of Europe’s bid to raise the profile of small and mid-size firms, citing them as vital components in achieving the Commission’s no.1 challenge - stimulating economic growth and creating new jobs.
“We are now enjoying the longest ever period of sustained growth, the longest period of sustained low inflation for 40 years and the highest employment levels ever,” Johnston said.
“This is the stability that business needs to have the confidence to invest in the long term.
“Earlier I hosted a UK Presidency press conference where Heinz Zourek of the EU Commission launched the European Enterprise Awards.
“This new award will showcase outstanding enterprising communities from all of Europe’s regions.”
Yet Johnson acknowledged the Government still has to do more in key areas, including starting pupils on enterprise from an early age, supporting risk takers and improving access to business start-up.
This was crucial, he said, particularly in light of the competitive threat posed by the UK’s closest ally.
“We need more successful runners, and fewer who fail to even make it to the starting blocks.
“America’s record on business creation is twice as good as ours. In deprived areas specifically it is ten times as good.”
To compete, the DTI chief conceded a series of challenges must be overcome, such as making enterprise more attractive and attainable to youngsters, in order for Britons to see “the spirit of enterprise flowing more freely through the country’s veins.”
Entrepreneurs, Johnson added, “are essential to our health, wealth and happiness.
“We need to help them turn ideas into jobs. There are now 300,000 more businesses than there were in 1997. And 1,000 new companies are starting up every day.
“We want more. Where there is a nagging voice in their [youngsters] ear telling them ‘it’s all too much effort’, Government needs to be shouting, ‘go for it’, in the other ear.
“Where they worry about risk, we need to give them stability. Where they think they’re alone, we need to give them support.”
Elsewhere in his speech, Johnson said he was “delighted” to be joined by Hienz Zourek to discuss Europe’s role in promoting entrepreneurship.
According to the Commission, the awards are open to local and regional authorities in the European Union, including towns, cities, communities, public authorities and entrepreneurs.
Applicants in Norway, Romania, Turkey and Iceland are also eligible – but like all candidates, they must show their actions have “incrementally facilitated business and boosted their region’s economy,” over a two-year period.
Competition is however fierce as just two entrants will be selected per country to go forward to the competition final.
Deadline for entries is May 31, 2006.
Nov 17, 2005
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