Dear all,

Congratulations!

On behalf of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), we are delighted to inform you that your project listed below has been selected as a RegioStars 2018 finalist!

Category 2 - SAVEMYBIKE

This means that your project will be included in several communication actions and products, aimed at giving extra recognition and visibility to your project. We count on your collaboration in the preparation of these communication products.

Please find below some important information concerning the next steps of the competition:

1. Publication of the finalist names on DG REGIO's website and social media accounts

• The names of the finalist projects have just been published on DG REGIO’s website: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/newsroom/news/2018/06/06-12-2018-regiostars-awards-the-independent-jury-has-selected-21-finalists-in-the-2018-edition and DG REGIO’s social media accounts (Twitter,  Facebook).
• It will also be published on  http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/regio-stars-awards/ and communicated to the European Commission's representation in your country to disseminate to national press.

2. RegioStars Finalist visuals and Social Media material

• Attached you can find the RegioStars Awards finalist visuals to be used on your Twitter and Facebook accounts and proposed content for your Social Media platforms.
• Can we kindly ask you to publish it on your website, social media accounts or in any upcoming communication material (newsletter, flyer, etc)? Please link back to the RegioStars Awards website: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/regio-stars-awards/.

3. Certificate Ceremony for Finalists in Strasbourg, 3 July 2018 in Strasbourg

• All finalists are kindly invited to attend the Certificate Ceremony. The ceremony will be attended by the European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Crețu and Regiostars 2018 Presidents of the Jury, MEP Lambert van Nistelrooij and MEP Kerstin Westphal. Each finalist will receive a certificate and pose for a commemorative photo with the Commissioner and Presidents of the Jury.

• Who is invited? 1 representative per finalist - either the Project Manager or the Managing Authority
• When?

• 2 July: Travel to Strasbourg
• 3 July: Certificates Ceremony and travel back
• Travel & Accommodation costs: Travel and accommodation for one representative per finalist will be arranged and paid for by the organisers

4. Micro website

• A mini website will be launched to present the finalist’s projects and to ensure a surface for public voting which will be launched on 3 July. Further information will follow.

5. Brochure presenting all finalist projects

• A brochure presenting the finalists’ projects will be produced based on the information you provided in your REGIOSTARS application. It will also feature personal testimonials from beneficiaries of your project. Our external contractor “European Service Network” (ESN) has started working on the texts to be included in the brochure.
• In July, you will hear from the ESN journalist who will request additional details to finalise the texts with the information already provided: a quote/testimonial from beneficiaries connected to the project to illustrate its impact/achievements, innovative aspects or the added value of Cohesion Policy in relation to your project.

6. Video-shoot of the winners’ projects

• Please be aware that ESN will contact the project managers of the winner projects in July to organise a video shoot of the project. They will want to arrange a date, location and contact person who will be available to guide on-site during the shoot.
• Time is limited to cover each project, one key location should be identified for the video-shoot.
• We would like to stress that the journalists are working under very tight deadlines (taking into account the summer break), we therefore insist on the fact that we are relying on your cooperation and availability during the preparation and the shooting as such.

7. DG REGIO project database

• A description of your project will also be published on DG REGIO's online project database:  http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/projects/.
• This project database is visited daily by people from Europe and beyond, looking to learn more about best practices in the field of Regional Policy. It is also is also used as a main reference point for good projects to feature in articles, project factsheets, promotional videos, EC Vice-Presidents and Commissioners' visits or any other communication initiatives.

8. Participation in the RegioStars Awards Communication training, 19-20 September in Brussels

• The RegioStars Awards Communication training will take place on 19 and 20 of September 2018 in Brussels. A full agenda will follow end of June/beginning of July.
• One representative per finalist project is invited to attend this two-days training. Priority is given to a Communications officer.
• The European Commission will reimburse travel expenses (18 to 20 September) and 2 nights of accommodation expenses (nights of 18 and 19 September - check out on 20 September) for the Communications officer only. Please communicate by email who will be that representative including his/her name, surname, function and work phone number by 29 June.
• Planning in detail:
• 18 September: Travel to Brussels
• 19 September: Communications training part 1
• 20 September: Communications training part 2 (ends by 16.30)
• 20 September (evening): Travel back

9. Participation in the RegioStars Awards Ceremony in Brussels

• The RegioStars Awards ceremony will take place on 9th of October 2018 in Brussels - second evening of the European Week of Regions and Cities, a yearly event which attracts more than 6000 participants. The ceremony itself will take place in the Square, a famous event place in Brussels, and will be attended by around 1700 participants.
• Two representatives from each finalist project - the Project Manager and one representative from the Managing Authority - are invited to attend the RegioStars Awards ceremony and formally receive a finalist certificate and a medal from EU Commissioner Corina Creţu.
• The European Commission will reimburse travel expenses and up to 3 nights of accommodation expenses (8-9 and10 October) for the project manager only. Travel and accommodation costs for the representatives from Managing Authorities are not being reimbursed by the European Commission.

10. Exhibition of finalist projects during the European Week of Regions and Cities

• An exhibition will be held, during the European Week of Regions and Cities, presenting all finalist projects at the Square from 8-11 October 2018. Further information will follow.

Should you have any other question regarding the RegioStars awards or the next steps as described in this email, please do not hesitate to contact us at regiostars2018@iservice-europa.eu

Congratulations on your successful participation in the RegioStars Awards!

Yours sincerely,

On behalf of DG REGIO – European Commission

RegioStars2018 Team