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MyEuropeStory - A Unique Storytelling Competition

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Terms & Conditions

The MyEuropeStory Competition is organised by the European Travel Commission in cooperation with Eurail Group G.I.E (collectively referred to as « the organizers ») and with support from the European Commission. This competition is free of charges.

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By submitting your short story you agree to the following terms and conditions:

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1. Eligibility Criteria

The competition is open to all natural persons of 18 years or older, who hold the requisites specified at point 6. Employees and relatives of employees of the European Travel Commission, the European Commission, Eurail Group G.I.E., Eurail.com BV, sponsors or other persons directly related to this competition are excluded from participation.

 

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2. Competition Rules

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  • You must submit an inspiring short story that reflects a personal journey and shows what a unique, interesting, diverse or just pure fun time that you have had in Europe;

  • Stories must show travel across at least 3 destinations in different European countries. These destinations must be largely accessible by train;

  • Stories must be at least 600 words and not exceed 1,000 words in length;

  • Stories must demonstrate knowledge about European culture and heritage;

  • All content must be original and not published elsewhere either full or in part;

  • Do not use commercial names.

 

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3. How to Enter

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  • To enter the competition, you must complete in full the online entry form available at www.myeuropestory.com

  • All entry details must be written in English.

  • Multiple entries per person are allowed.

  • The competition commences on 9 January 2017 and closes at 11.59pm (CET) on 31 January 2017. Entries received after that date and time will not be considered.

  • The competition partners reserve the right, at their absolute discretion to extend the closing date for a reasonable period of time where an insufficient number of the entries received have satisfied the entry and judging criteria.

  • By submitting an entry to the competition, you give the competition organizers the right to use your name, photograph, town and country of residence for the purpose of identifying you as the author of your entry and/or as a runner up or winner of the competition. The name of the winners and short-listed entries might appear on the organizer’s websites and social media channels.

  • By submitting an email address for the purpose of participating in this competition, you agree that the organizers have the right to contact you about the prize you may have won by taking part in this competition, both before and after the closing date of the competition.

  • Entries must be made by the authorised account holder of the email address submitted.

  • Your entry must only be created by you. If others are involved in any part of the submission, you must agree that you have their full and final agreement to their involvement and all contributions to your story.

  • Your submitted story must be your all own work, must not be copied, must not contain any third-party materials and/or content, must not promote your own or third party goods or services and must not show inappropriate or dangerous behaviour, or otherwise be obscene, defamatory, distasteful or offensive.

  • The organizers at all times reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual, particularly in the case where a participant provides incomplete or incorrect data, If the organizers have reason to believe your entry is not your own work or if we have other reasons to conclude a participant does not adhere to these terms and conditions or attempts to compromise this competition in any way.

  • We take no responsibility for entries that are lost, delayed, misdirected or incomplete or cannot be delivered or entered for any technical or other reason. Proof of delivery of the entry is not proof of receipt.

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4. Selection of the Winners

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Following the deadline, the organizers will appoint a jury that will select up to ten short-listed entries.

All short-listed stories will be published on www.myeuropestory.com in March 2017, so that the public may vote for their favourite choice to select the five final winners.

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5. Selection Criteria

 

When choosing the short-listed entries, the jury will be looking for storytellers who submit

 

  • a compelling short story ;

  • a story which has an authentic voice ;

  • a story which inspires us to explore more of Europe ;

  • a story which conveys deep emotion ;

  • a story which is enjoyable and fun ;

  • a story which will work across the world.

 

Submitting an image associated with the short story is optional.

 

The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

 

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6. The Prize

  • The five winners will receive 2 Eurail or Interrail rail passes each.

  • Only one entry per author will be awarded.

  • Citizens from one of the countries of the European Union or one of the countries listed hereafter, or persons officially residing in one of the countries from the European Union or one of the countries listed hereafter, are eligible to travel with an Interrail Pass: Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia, Gibraltar, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and Vatican City. A valid passport or ID card is required in order to travel with an Interrail Pass. For further information on requirements of travelling with Interrail please visit www.interrail.eu.

  • Citizens from any other country that is not listed above or persons officially residing in any other country but the countries listed above are eligible to travel with an Eurail Pass. A valid passport or ID card is required in order to travel with an Eurail Pass Pass. For further information on requirements of travelling with Eurail please visit www.eurail.com.

  • The prize for the winner of the competition consists for persons holding the requisites specified at point 6 (second paragraph) of two 1st Class Interrail Global Passes valid for 7 travel days in the period of 1 month with a value of up to 982 EUR (depending on the age of the travellers). The prize for the winner of the competition consists for persons holding the requisites specified at point 6 (third paragraph) of two 1st Class Eurail Global Passes valid for 7 travel days in the period of 1 month with a value of up to 1118 EUR (depending on the age of the travellers).  In total, there will be two Interrail or Eurail tickets available. The winner needs to fill in an order form for each pass (2 in total) that will be provided by Eurail Group G.I.E. Once the prize winner has accepted their prize with Eurail Group G.I.E. and they have received the order form from Eurail Group G.I.E., the winner must request the Complimentary Passes within 11 months after winning the Passes. The order form must be received by Eurail Group G.I.E. at least 4 weeks in advance of the desired starting travel date.

  • The winners will be notified via the email address provided when entering the competition. If the prize winner either does not accept the prize or cannot be contacted within 4 weeks of receiving email notification that they have won the prize, all rights to the prize are forfeited. The organizers shall be entitled to select another winner.

  • All travel visa requirements and further expenses associated with the prize are the sole responsibility of the winners.

  • The prize cannot be exchanged or transferred by you and cannot be redeemed by you for any other prize or cash replacement.

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7. Assignment of Rights

 

  • The rights to the short story and images will remain with the author, however by submitting the story to the MyEuropeStory Competition you are assigning worldwide, royalty-free permission in perpetuity to the organizers to use your content in whole or in part for the purpose of promoting Europe as a travel destination and its aims.

 

 

8. Miscellaneous

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  1. By submitting your short story you agree to consent to the use by the organizers, both before and after the closing date of the competition for an unlimited time, of your entry (copy and photographs) for publicity purposes (in any medium and on the internet, including any websites hosted by the organizers and their related companies) and in, marketing or promotional material without prior notice.

  2. By entering the competition, you agree to the collection, retention, usage and distribution of your personal information in order to process and contact you about your competition entry. The organizers shall use and take care of any personal information you supply to them in accordance with data protection legislation. These terms and conditions are governed by Belgian law.

  3. The organizers accept no responsibility for any damage, loss, liabilities, injury or disappointment incurred or suffered by you as a result of entering the competition or accepting any prize. The organizers further disclaim liability for any injury or damage to you or any other person's computer relating to or resulting from participation in or downloading any materials in connection with the competition.

  4. The organizers reserve the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, this competition with or without prior notice due to reasons outside their control (including, without limitation, in the case of anticipated, suspected or actual fraud).

  5. The decision of the organizers in all matters under its control is final and binding.

  6. The organizers have the right at its sole discretion, to change these terms and conditions at any time.

 

If you have any questions about how to enter the competition or in connection with the competition, please contact us with “MyEuropeStory Competition” in the subject line at info@visiteurope.com

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