Central Baltic project Smart Marina selected as Regiostars finalist
We are proud to share that one of the projects co-funded by the Central Baltic Programme 2014–2020, Smart Marina, has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious Regiostars Awards! This recognition places the project among Europe’s most innovative and inspiring EU-funded regional development initiatives.
The Regiostars Awards, organised annually by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, celebrate excellence in regional development. Competing projects are evaluated on innovation, impact, sustainability, and their ability to inspire other regions.
This year, the competition reached new heights, with a record of 266 applications submitted. After the first round of evaluation, the jury has selected 25 outstanding finalists across five categories. For Smart Marina to be chosen as a finalist is a major achievement and a recognition of the hard work, creativity, and cross-border cooperation that defines our programme.
Public voting and next steps
The Regiostars Awards voting process is designed to engage the public and celebrate the achievements of the finalists. As in previous years, the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite finalist for the Public Choice Award.
- The vote will begin 2 September and closes on 15 October at midday.
- Visit the Regiostars website to explore the finalists and vote for your favourite project.
Why does it matter? Your vote will decide the winner of the Public Choice Award, giving you the change to support the project that inspires you the most.
The finalists will meet for the “final round” of jury evaluation on 14 October during the European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels. Winners in each category, as well as the Public Choice Award winner, will be announced during the Regiostars ceremony, in the evening of 15 October.
About the Smart Marina project
Small harbours in the Central Baltic region often face challenges with infrastructure, visitor services, and environmental standards. Smart Marina brought together 32 harbours from Finland, Åland, Sweden, and Estonia to improve their facilities and increase cooperation across borders.
As a result, many harbours now offer better access and services for boaters and other visitors. Seventeen of them received the Blue Flag certification, which recognises high environmental and quality standards. The project aimed to make harbours more functional, sustainable, and attractive for both local users and tourists.
