The European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital)

The European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital) targets cities and towns within EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries that demonstrate excellence in fostering local innovation ecosystems. The program aims to recognize and stimulate urban environments that act as test-beds for innovative practices, engage citizens in decision-making, and address significant societal challenges through breakthrough solutions.

The European Capital of Innovation Awards recognizes cities that have implemented innovative policies and frameworks across various societal and environmental domains. The program evaluates comprehensive urban innovation strategies rather than funding specific project costs, focusing on the maturity and impact of existing innovation ecosystems.

The European Capital of Innovation Awards provides a recognition prize to top-ranked cities, with specific monetary awards for the first, second, and third place winners in each category. This is a lump-sum prize and does not involve co-financing or project-based funding rates.

Applicants for the European Capital of Innovation Awards must adhere to strict admissibility and eligibility criteria, including specific submission formats, population requirements, and exclusions for previous winners. The evaluation process is based on predefined award criteria covering various aspects of urban innovation.

The application process for the European Capital of Innovation Awards involves electronic submission followed by a rigorous evaluation by a jury. A pre-selection phase may occur if there is a high volume of applications. Successful applicants will be invited for a hearing before the final award decision.

The European Capital of Innovation Awards operates under the comprehensive legal framework of the Horizon Europe programme, drawing its mandate from specific regulations and detailed work programmes published by the European Commission.