European Capital of Innovation Award 2020

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.

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.

€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.

You can learn more about the previous recognised cities in the European Capitals of Innovation 2016-2019 booklet that features the best urban innovation practices from all corners of Europe and beyond.

¿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.

APPLICATION

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