The European Social Innovation Competition seeks social innovation ideas that are social in both their ends and their means. Each year, the European Social Innovation Competition raises awareness of a different challenge facing European society and aims to unearth potentially game-changing ideas from all corners of Europe.
In 2018, the competition focuses on the theme RE: THINK LOCAL. Innovations that take place in a certain location and respond to specific local conditions, challenges and opportunities are often called “place-based”.
In this sense, this year’s edition of the competition recognises projects that turn local challenges emerging from the changing economy into opportunities for younger generations.
The winning projects are:
- Ulisse (Italy): A digital travel platform for deaf people.
- HeritageLab (Slovenia): An incubation programme for young people who want to set up a business.
- Career Bus (Romania): A career orientation venture for young people from small urban and rural areas.
Each winner will receive a €50.000 prize to further develop and implement their ideas and received a trophy designed and produced by Paris-based artist William Amor with recycled materials.
More information about EUSIC
The European Social Innovation Competition is an initiative of the European Commission that awards three €50.000 prizes per year to the most innovative ideas developed to address societal issues in EU Member States and Horizon 2020 associated countries.
The Competition takes place every year – each time with a different theme. It is held in memory of the Portuguese innovator Diogo Vasconcelos. Individuals, organisations and companies from all EU Member States and Horizon 2020 associated countries can participate. It promotes social innovation and provides a great opportunity for people to prototype, develop, and launch their ideas and projects.
The Competition is organised by the European Commission with support from Nesta, Kennisland, the European Network of Living Labs, Ashoka and Scholz & Friends.
For information on earlier editions and winning projects, visit http://eusic.challenges.org