European Capital of Innovation Award 2020

Six cities remain in the final stage of the iCapital Awards to become the European Capital of Innovation (iCapital) 2020 following an intense evaluation phase.

A high-level jury of independent experts selected the six finalists after thorough interviews with twelve shortlisted cities.

News alert: European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital) 2020: six cities in the running for the title

Join us at the European Research and Innovation Days (22-24 September) to discover the 2020 European Capital of Innovation winner and the five runners-up announced by Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel.

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What is the European Capital of Innovation (iCapital) Award?

This is an annual cash prize awarded to the European city that is best able to demonstrate its ability to harness innovation to improve the lives of its citizens.

In particular cities that

contribute to open and dynamic innovation ecosystems

involve citizens in governance and decision-making

use innovation to improve the resiliency and sustainability of their cities

Why is there a prize?

This prize enables European cities to showcase their contribution to developing local innovation ecosystems for the benefit of businesses and the wellbeing of their citizens.

European Capitals of Innovation 2016-2019 English Download

Prize value

€1 million to the city named European Innovation Capital of the year.

€100,000 to each of the five runner-up cities.

The award also recognises a number of finalist cities specially acknowledged for their efforts in promoting innovation.

Who can apply?

A city can apply as long as it

has at least 100,000 inhabitants

is in an EU country or a country associated to Horizon 2020, the EU's research and innovation programme

Award criteria

Cities are judged on how they implement innovative solutions to societal challenges. These solutions can be completed or ongoing, but must have been implemented in the year prior to the opening of the contest or the contest year itself.

Cities will have to show how they created the conditions for innovation by

experimenting innovative concepts, processes, tools, and governance models as a test-bed for innovation

engaging citizens in the innovation process and ensuring the uptake of their ideas

expanding the city's attractiveness to become a role model for other cities

empowering citizens by bringing concrete and measurable added value through the implementation of innovative practices

Applications are judged by a panel of independent experts from across Europe.

How to apply

Cities can apply for the contest online. The full details are explained in the following documents.

For more information please contact us at rtd-i-capital@ec.europa.eu

To subscribe to the monthly iCapital mailing, drop an email to the above address expressing your interest and allowing to receiving regular information about the contest.

iCapital web banners English (2.3 MB - ZIP) Download ZIP - 2.3 MB

Timeline

The timetable for the 2020 edition of the competition 5 March 2020 Contest opens

23 June 2020 Deadline for applications

22 – 24 September 2020 Announcement of iCapital 2020 and runners-up

Past competitions

iCapital 2019 Full details of the 2019 iCapital contest.

iCapital 2018 Full details of the 2018 iCapital contest, the winner and runners-up

iCapital 2017 Full details of the 2017 iCapital contest, the winner, runners-up and links to all finalists.

iCapital 2016 Full details of the 2016 iCapital contest, the winner, runners-up and links to all finalist videos