PACT distinguished in European competition for fostering the entrepreneurial spirit in Alentejo
26/09/2025
PACT – Alentejo Science and Technology Park was distinguished with an honorable mention at national level in the prestigious European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA), an initiative of the European Commission that recognizes the best practices in fostering entrepreneurship and business innovation in Europe.
The distinction was awarded to PACT, for its continuous work in the development of the business ecosystem and in the promotion of the entrepreneurial spirit in the Alentejo region, in partnership with the University of Évora, the Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, the Polytechnic Institute of Beja, the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs, the Alentejo Regional Development Agency, CEiiA, DECSIS, Glintt and novobanco, in the category “Development of the business environment and promotion of the spirit of entrepreneurship”.
The EEPA, aligned with the objectives of the Europe 2030 strategy and coordinated in Portugal by IAPMEI, distinguish projects of excellence in six categories that reflect European priorities for business development and innovation. The call takes place in the 27 Member States of the European Union, as well as in the countries associated to the SME pillar of the Single Market Programme.
“Receiving this honorable mention is, for us, a source of great pride and recognition of the work we have been developing to transform the Alentejo into a region of opportunities, innovation and entrepreneurship. This award is also an incentive for us to continue to boost the talent, creativity and competitiveness of our business fabric”, said Soumodip Sarkar, Executive President of PACT.
ASSIMAGRA – Portuguese Association of the Mineral Resources Industry, a company in the PACT ecosystem, was also awarded in the competition, having reached 1st place in the category “Support for the internationalization of companies”, with the BROOT project, in partnership with AICEP – Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade of Portugal and Turismo de Portugal.
The honorable mention award ceremony took place on September 24, in Lisbon, during the presentation session of the candidate projects for the 2025 edition. The national winners were previously selected by the National Jury, and only two projects will be selected to represent Portugal in the European final, where an international jury will choose the most innovative cases with the greatest impact on the European business landscape.
