Third edition of the European Capital of Innovation prize launched

Today the third edition of the European Capital of Innovation prize is launched. This contest rewards the European city that is building the best 'innovation ecosystem', connecting citizens, public organisations, academia, and business. Deadline for submitting applications is June 21, 2017. The city which wins will receive € 1,000,000 to scale up its innovation activities. The second and third prizes consist of € 100,000 each.

Cities that apply will have to prove how they create the local conditions to innovate, and will be judged on innovative solutions to the specific societal challenges that they face. The contest is open to cities:

• with over 100,000 inhabitants (however, in countries where there is no city with more than 100,000 inhabitants, the largest city is eligible to apply);
• which are in an EU Member State or a country associated to Horizon 2020, the EU research and innovation programme.

The winners will be announced in November this year.