Press Release: Winners of European Enterprise Awards successful at creating small businesses in times of crisis

For its creative approach in attracting business start-ups in this rural region of central France, European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani awarded the Auvergne region's 'Entrepreneurs in Residence' the Grand Jury’s Prize at the 2010 European Enterprise Awards ceremony on 31 May 2010. The high-level jury, representing business, government and academia, selected the project of the Regional Development Agency for its impressive results in helping entrepreneurs to set up their residence and business in this volcanic landscape and creating over 200 businesses generating 600 jobs not only in the tourism sector, but also in trade and services. Five other initiatives from Austria, Germany, Poland, Slovenia and Sweden also received awards in the ceremony which was jointly organised by the European Commission, the Spanish EU Presidency and the Committee of the Regions. The event closed the second European SME Week, the European Commission's pan-European campaign to promote entrepreneurship and small businesses (SMEs) in Europe.