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Apply for the REGIOSTARS Awards

Picture with windmills and trees
18/02/2025
3 minutes

Reach for the stars: Apply now for the prestigious REGIOSTARS Awards 2025!

Your project has made its mark - how about extending its impact? Why not try your luck and apply for this top label of recognition. 

If your project was funded in the VB (2014-2020) period and has left a great legacy behind, then we strongly encourage you to apply for the REGIOSTARS Awards, the top prize in European regional development. 

Did you know that our projects have a stellar track record with the REGIOSTARS? 

Last year, three North Sea projects were among the 25 REGIOSTARS Awards finalists: TOPSOIL, JOMOPANS and BITS were chosen among a record-high 262 applications.  In the end the BITS project won a REGIOSTAR Award for their groundbreaking work to make cycling smarter, safer and more enjoyable. 

 

Who can apply?

Your project must be closed, meaning that you must have received your final financial contribution and your project must have been declared completed by the Joint Secretariat.  

Projects who submitted REGIOSTARS applications last year can try again in 2025. Only those listed amongst the finalists in 2024 can not reapply.

Categories

You can apply in one of the following categories: 

  1. A competitive and smart Europe
  2. A green Europe
  3. A connected Europe
  4. A social and inclusive Europe
  5. A Europe closer to the citizens

How to apply?

The journey to REGIOSTARS includes the following steps:

📅 By 11 April 2025 11.59 pm – Interreg North Sea projects submit their draft REGIOSTARS applications to the Joint Secretariat. Please send the filled-in application form to info@interregnorthsea.eu 
📅 End of April – The joint secretariat will review the submissions and endorse up to a maximum of five applications*.  
📅 Early May– We will inform you whether your REGIOSTARS application has been endorsed. If your application is endorsed, we will support you to fine-tune your entry. 
📅 By 20 May 2025 (at the latest) – Lead partners of the chosen projects must submit their final applications via the European Commission's online system.

*To apply, you will need an endorsement letter from the Joint Secretariat. Since a maximum of five projects may apply per programme, we may have to select among the entries. 

The road to REGIOSTARS 2025

Finalists will be announced on 16 July and invited to an online pitch training in mid-September.

The public will also be able to vote for their favourite finalist between 2 September and 15 October 2025.

During the European Week of Regions and Cities, the finalists will pitch their projects to an independent jury on 14 October, followed by an awards ceremony on 15 October in Brussels.

Winners will also receive a local communication campaign with DG Regio, starting on 1 December 2025.

Looking for more information?

Learn more at the Regiostars Awards website.

Learn more about the categories and the award criteria in the applicant guide. 

Read the REGIOSTARS frequently asked questions here.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with Marie Piard Georget marie.piard@interregnorthsea.eu or Lise Espersen lise.espersen@interregnorthsea.eu