Deadline: 30-Jun-22
The European Commission (EC) is calling nominations for the European Capital of Innovation Awards: European Capital of Innovation Category.
Scope
- The traditional city innovation ecosystem is opening up to new models of innovation engaging citizens. An increasing number of cities are acting as test beds for innovation and run citizens-driven initiatives to find solutions for their relevant societal challenges.
- The public domain is particularly challenged with finding effective ways to ensure the mainstreaming of these practices into the ordinary urban development process. Successful practices are particularly crucial to enhance the city's capacity to attract new resources, funds and talents to stimulate the growth of breakthrough innovations. Moreover, collaboration and strengthening synergies among innovation ecosystems boost cities’ development and resilience to tackle urban challenges.
- For this reason, the European Capital of Innovation Awards will recognize the cities’ role as catalysers of the local innovation ecosystem and will stimulate new activities aimed at boosting game-changing innovation.
Award Details
One first prize for the winner of the European Capital of Innovation category of EUR 1 000 000, and two runner-up prizes of EUR 100 000 for the top two cities (ranked 2nd and 3 rd).
Expected Impact
A European prize to the most innovative cities ecosystems. The award will raise the profile of the cities that have developed and implemented innovative policies; established frameworks that boost breakthrough innovation; enhanced the city attractiveness towards investors, industry, enterprises and talents; helped to open up connections and strengthen links with other cities, promoting the replication of best practices in the innovation field; enhanced citizens' involvement in the decision-making process; and supported cities resilience.
Eligibility Criteria
- The candidate city must be located in one of the EU Member State or Associated Countries to Horizon Europe.
- For the European Capital of Innovation category, the candidate city must have a population of minimum 250 000 inhabitants. In countries where there are no such cities, the city coming closest to 250 000 inhabitants is eligible to apply for the European Capital of Innovation category, provided that it has a minimum population of 50 000 inhabitants and that the city did not apply for the European Rising Innovative City category.
- Winners of former European Capital of Innovation Awards editions, as well as runners-up of the edition 2021 are not eligible. This does not apply to previous finalist cities.
- Applicants that have already received an EU or Euratom prize cannot receive a second prize for the same activities.
For more information, visit European Commission.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3MmVtEl