Europe's most enterprising towns and villages are to be officially recognised for their efforts to support business, it has been announced.
The European Union (EU) has launched the European Enterprise Awards, a new competition aimed at recognising the most exceptional initiatives that have supported entrepreneurship in villages, towns and cities across the EU.
The awards were proposed by the UK, which currently holds the EU's six-month rotating presidency, and are based on the country's Enterprising Britain competition.
The scheme was formally launched by Heinz Zourek, director general of enterprise and industry with the European Commission, yesterday at the Enterprising Britain Summit 2005 in London.
UK trade and industry secretary Alan Johnson welcomed the awards but said that the success of business in Britain and across Europe depends on meeting five key challenges.
First, he said, the spirit of enterprise must be promoted so that children see it as a viable and favourable career option. Access to enterprise must start early and penetrate the most deprived areas of society, he added..
The second and third challenges are ensuring economic stability and providing the right support to business.
"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," Johnson said.
"This is the stability that business needs to have the confidence to invest for the long term."
Once these are achieved, government must improve the business infrastructure and ensure that the markets operate fairly whilst reducing the amount of red tape.
Following decades of under-investment, Johnson said the government is reinvesting in strengthening university links with business, developing technology and improving the transport network.
