• The objective is to raise awareness among citizens about the results and added value of European funds in Spain.
• The competition will have a multi-fund approach.
• Projects related to rural development can be submitted in the “#EuropeFeelsClose” category.

The new Europe being created, following the launch of the 2021-2027 programming period—determined by the COVID-19 pandemic and the arrival of the "Next Generation" Recovery Funds —gives rise to a phase of projects whose materialization sheds light on a new reality.

To raise awareness about new projects and the results and added value of European funds in Spain, the Directorate General for European Funds (DGFE) of the Ministry of Finance and Public Administration is once again organizing the "Annual European Funds Communication Competition."

The 2023 edition will provide the competition with a multi-fund approach, by supporting projects that have received funding from shared European funds. Thus, in addition to ERDF projects, (including the European Territorial Cooperation objective), projects co-financed with the following funds may participate: ESF, ESF+, ISF, IGFV, AMIF, FEMPA, FTJ, EAFRD and EAGF.

Categories

Projects submitted to the competition must be in one of the following 6 categories:

1. #EuropeFeelsCompetitive category , where projects focused on industrial transformation, support for SMEs, research promotion, and digitalization can compete.

2. #EuropeFeelsGreen category , where projects focused on, among other things, the energy transition, the fight against climate change, sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, environmental rehabilitation, biodiversity, the circular economy, and the efficient use of resources can compete.

3. #EuropeFeelsConnected category , focusing on the transport of goods and the mobility of people. Projects focused on sustainable mobility, environmentally friendly transport, the efficient and safe movement of people, and effective and secure border management, among others, can compete in this category.

4. The #EuropeFeelsSocial category will cover projects that seek to promote inclusion, non-discrimination, and gender equality at all levels, including, among others, the reintegration of disadvantaged people into the labor market, family reconciliation, and educational strategies, as well as actions related to asylum.

5. #EuropeFeelsClose category , where projects aimed at the sustainable and inclusive development of rural areas , or supporting local and regional strategies that help address specific development challenges in certain areas, can compete.

6. #EuropeMovesYourMove category , which is related to the New “European Bauhaus,” which encompasses projects that combine sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusivity.

Contest phases and requirements

The competition will be divided into three phases, with the winners being announced at the end of the final phase, which will be held on Friday , September 22, 2023, at the Vilagarcía de Arousa auditorium (Pontevedra).

The application must be submitted through the form on the DG European Funds portal in the "#EuropaSeSiente Awards" section before 11:59 p.m. on June 23 , 2023.

Projects that have been co-financed by any of the Spanish shared management European Funds programs ERDF (including European territorial cooperation), ESF ESF+, ISF, IGFV, FAMI, FEMPA, FTJ, FEADER and EAGF, both within the framework of the 2014-2020 period and the 2021-2027 period , may participate in the competition.

The same promoter or beneficiary may submit up to two projects per fund (ERDF) ESF+, FSI, IGFV, FAMI, FEMPA, FTJ, FEADER, FEAGA and CTE.