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The awards were presented during the Created IN Gala, which took place on 19 October in Vila Nova Famalicão. The awarded companies were evaluated based on four criteria: economic sustainability, social sustainability, environmental sustainability, and innovation. The nine awardees met all four criteria.
For Albertina Reis, Chief Research and Development Officer at Riopele, one of the key awardees of the evening, this award is 'an incentive and recognition of the work that Riopele has been doing, both by investing in innovation and its sustainability agenda in its various aspects.' The company has proven innovation, for example, by manufacturing textile materials that include cork and materials produced from textile waste, based on the concept of their fabric brand, Tenowa.
This initiative is the result of a strategy to implement municipal public policies to support businesses, as well as the transition from 'Made IN Famalicão' to 'Created IN Famalicão,' which ‘aims to raise the level of development in the municipality with more innovation and more sustainability,’ explains Mário Passos, Mayor of Vila Nova de Famalicão.
The gala was also as an occasion to celebrate the title of European Entrepreneurial Region 2024, awarded in July this year by the European Committee of the Regions. 'It is the best testament to the economic vitality of our region and European recognition of the merit of our public policies, particularly those aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and employment. Moreover, it is recognition of all the people of Famalicão who personify this award on a daily basis,' emphasised Mário Passos.