Following on from their success in the national Enterprising Britain 2007 competition, North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone and The Paper Trail have been short-listed for this yearís prestigious European Enterprise Awards ñ which, this year saw over 350 projects from across the continent coming forward.
North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone and The Paper Trail will now compete with just 11 others in the finals of the Awards, which are being held in Porto, Portugal this December. The latest announcement is another cause to celebrate for both projects from the UK, following their success in Enterprising Britain. The North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone, West Midlands, was crowned overall winner of Enterprising Britain 2007, with The Paper Trail, from the East of England, named as competition runner-up.
The North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone transformed the Potteries from the worst place in Britain to start a business into an economic hub of enterprise activity. Once home to great innovators and entrepreneurs such as Josiah Wedgewood, the past 30 years saw the area suffer a decline in its traditional industries.
In 2003, when Barclays labeled it the UK's worst, there were 38,000 unemployed and 2,000 businesses short of the national average. But several NSRZ projects set up over the last six years have helped reverse this decline, turning an economic wasteland into a hotbed of business. Five hundred new businesses have started; over 1,000 new jobs have been created, with 21 sustainable social enterprises and more than 7,500 young people given the chance to run a business.
Richard Barnes, Chairman of North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone, said: With Stoke-on-Trent having such a poor reputation for the last 10 years or more, to enjoy winning the award on a national basis is a mark of great progress ñ and to be short-listed in the final 13 from over 350 initial entries is truly fantastic and a remarkable achievement.
It is a tribute to the work and dedication of all involved and weíre now keeping our fingers crossed for Porto in December.
North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone has been nominated in the Enterprise Support Award section, along with entries from Luxembourg, Holland and Spain. They are further short-listed as a potential overall winner with entries from Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary and Italy.
This yearís Enterprising Britain runner-up, The Paper Trail is converting a Victorian paper mill and disused industrial buildings into a unique heritage centre for education and innovation. By conserving part of the UKís heritage, the initiative has had a huge impact on the social and economic success of the local community. As well as housing over 26 start-up and small businesses employing over 70 people, the two centers have created 25 direct jobs. From its operating start in 2002, recycled paper production has increased by 65 per cent and at least 300 indirect employment opportunities have been created.
Jacky Bennett, chief executive at The Paper Trail said: ìBeing shortlisted for the European Enterprise Awards is a fantastic achievement and testament to the determination and dedication of everyone involved. This region has long been a centre of enterprise and has a rich history of entrepreneurs and places like The Paper Trail are helping us to preserve this important part of our economy and culture.î
The Paper Trail, East of England has been nominated for the Enterprise Support Award, along with entries from Slovakia, Poland and Italy.
The European Enterprise Awards reward public initiatives supporting entrepreneurship. The jury, made up of European entrepreneurs, leading business organisations, academics and representatives of the European Commission and the Portuguese Presidency, will announce the winners at the Porto ceremony on 6 December 2007.
The winners of the event act as role models across the regions of Europe in how to create environments where entrepreneurs can flourish.
Beacons of British enterprise shine brightest in Europe
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