The companies, organisations, agencies and local governments below have all been chosen as nominees for the Emerging Europe Awards.
Apart from the National Investment Promotion Agency of the Year category, in which all the regional IPAs have been included, all nominees have been selected because of their excellence and impact on the local or national scene.
This category assessed investment projects which have had a positive impact on the country or local area in which they have been implemented or completed, in 2018.
This category was open to companies from the region with no foreign capital that strengthened their operations outside the region in 2018, organically or through acquisition.
This category was open to companies from the region that strengthened their operations and/or expanded to new countries within the emerging Europe region in 2018, organically or through acquisition.
This category looked at R&D investment projects established in a country in the emerging Europe region in 2018, which uses local talent and expertise thus creating highly-skilled jobs.
This category was open to companies and entities operating in emerging Europe, which have implemented innovative practices or technologies in their products, services or processes in 2018, resulting in a significant improvement in the effectiveness or results of their business, sector or industry.
This category covered projects which have transformed a building, public space or community in 2018, bringing a neglected place back to life, creating sustainable use and/or conserving heritage.
This category assessed strategies of municipal investment promotion departments or agencies in 2018, evaluating their creativity, effectiveness and success.
This category was open to start-ups whose purpose is to improve people’s lives. The start-up should have been set up after January 2016 and have majority stakeholders from the emerging Europe region.
This category is open to entities whose initiatives promoted inclusion and equal treatment of individuals or groups regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious beliefs, in 2018.
This category assessed national, regional and municipal tourism promotion campaigns in 2018, focusing on their creativity, effectiveness and success.
This category covered initiatives in 2018, whose goals are to increase young people’s opportunities, awareness, self-confidence and engagement in society.
This category was open to young people, no older than 30 years old on 31st January 2018, who — through politics, social activism, another influencing activity or by their own example — influenced society in their community, country or in the wider region, for the better, in 2018.
This category assessed the performance of 23 national agencies promoting their countries as an attractive foreign direct investment destination in two areas — communications and enquiry handling.