Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a major driver of economic development worldwide and the competition to attract it is fiercer than ever.

The pandemic caused FDI flows to plummet, meaning investment destinations have had to fight for their share of a shrinking pool of capital. While recovery has meant a rebound in investment levels, the market dynamics remain difficult and locations worldwide are having to adapt to new patterns of working, changes in global supply chains and disruptions.

But cities across Europe are facing these challenges head-on and continuing to fight for FDI. In a first-ever collaboration, EuropaProperty and Fingar Direct Investment are teaming up to recognize the best and the brightest of Europe’s investment destinations.

The European Leadership Awards will highlight the city mayors that are leading the way when it comes to inward investment, and we will be inviting mayors of the winning cities to a special awards ceremony to take place at EXPO REAL in München and MIPIM in Cannes.

Methodology

The awards will be decided by a mix of quantitative and qualitative factors.

The data-led component will be based on FDI performance according to Fingar Direct Investment proprietary FDI Projects Database and will measure which cities saw the best growth in inbound FDI over the previous 3 years.

The subjective component will be determined by a judging panel of the EuropaProperty and Fingar Direct Investment editorial teams.

This year at MIPIM 2025 we have awarded “The European Leadership Award” to the mayor of Poznan, Poland, Jacek Jaśkowiak for his brilliant leadership over the last 10 years promoting Poznan as one of the top locations in Poland to invest in with many companies setting up business from all corners of the planet, Asia, USA and Western Europe. He has started and finished many infrastructure projects including remodeling the whole of the old town area.
The award this year was presented by Craig Smith, Publisher of EuropaProperty.com at MIPIM EXPO REAL MAPIC and Natalia Tomczyk, Miss World Poland.

These awards are presented throughout the year mainly at the MIPIM, and EXPO REAL (Messe München) fairs in France and Germany.