2025 REGIOSTARS Applications Open

The 2025 REGIOSTARS competition is open for applications until 20 May 2025.

REGIOSTARS is a European wide search for the best cohesion policy projects in 2025 . Irish  ESF+ Projects are encouraged to participate and  promote completed projects that

• have created a positive impact locally;
• continue to deliver even after the project has ended;
•  you believe could potentially be rolled out across Europe.

Please note that only completed projects are considered. A completed project is a project which has carried out all the planned activities, has received its final financial contribution, and has been declared closed by the project beneficiary and/or the Managing Authority. Projects from the 2014-2022 programming period will also be accepted but the starting date of the project must be the 1st January 2014 at the very earliest.

This year, one can apply in five categories corresponding to cohesion policy objectives.

The REGIOSTARS are awarded to projects in five categories:

• Category 1) A COMPETITIVE AND SMART EUROPE Promoting competitiveness, innovation and economic resilience;
• Category 2) A GREEN EUROPE The green transition as the enabler of regional development;
• Category 3) A CONNECTED EUROPE Enhancing mobility and connectivity between regions;
•  Category 4) A SOCIAL AND INCLUSIVE EUROPE Achieving a more inclusive Europe by harnessing regional talents;
• Category 5) A EUROPE CLOSER TO THE CITIZENS Fostering the sustainable development of all types of territories.

As in previous years, the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite finalist for the Public Choice Award. An independent jury of academics will select up to 5 finalists per category, which will compete in a Final Round during the European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels this October.

If you are interested please submit your application to the REGIOSTARS contest before 20 May 2025 via the EU Survey REGIOSTARS application form