The European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital), supported by the European Innovation Council (EIC) under the Horizon Europe funding programme, recognize European cities that “open their governance practices to experimentation and aim at being role models for other cities, by pushing the boundaries of technology for the benefit of their citizens”, writes the statement announcing the launch of the 2023 awards. The contest will award a total of six prizes in two categories: European Capital of Innovation and Rising Innovative City.
The competition is open for applications until 29 June 2023 from cities with at least 50,000 inhabitants from EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe. Two juries of independent experts will evaluate the applicant cities according to criteria such as how they are experimenting to make the city a testbed for innovative practices; escalating and accelerating the growth of start-ups; or expanding the city’s innovation capacity to become a role model for other cities.
The 2023 winning city will receive one million euros, while the first two runners-up will be awarded with 100,000 euros each. In the Rising Innovative City category, the winner will receive 500,000 euros and the two runners-up, 50,000 euros each. All the winners and runners-up can join the EIC Prizes Alumni network. Last year’s winners were Aix-Marseille Provence Metropole and Haarlem (Rising Innovative City).
Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said in the statement: “Cities play a key role in creating a supportive and inclusive ecosystem, where innovation is designed to benefit its citizens.” em
