European Social Innovation Competition 2017
Entries now open for €150,000 challenge prize to reboot equality in Europe
Now in its fifth year, the European Social Innovation Competition is a challenge prize run by the European Commission across all European countries.
The competition is open to innovations in tools, services and models with the potential to provide members of society with skills and opportunities they need to be able to compete in a changing economy. This year’’s theme is ‘Equality Rebooted’.
Eligible projects
Ideas could include, but are not limited to:
- new technologies and business models that make the digital economy more inclusive or use collaborative solutions to reduce inequality
- innovations that empower disadvantaged people to fully participate in the digital economy and gain revenue from employment or entrepreneurship
- initiatives that equip those at risk of being shut out of the labour market with the appropriate skills to shape the knowledge economy, such as creativity, communication or problem-solving
- solutions to protect and support low wage and skilled workers in the evolving labour market
The competition is open to entrepreneurs, social innovators, students, designers, makers, tech enthusiasts, educators, individuals, groups and organisations from throughout the European Union and in countries participating in the Horizon 2020 programme.
Thirty of the most promising applications will go into semi-finals and get a chance to attend a social innovation mentoring academy in Madrid. The three best solutions will then win a prize of €50,000 each at the awards ceremony in Brussels in October.
How to apply
Your project needs to be no further than the idea stage to enter. You can simply submit your entry online. You may want to the rules of contest and frequently asked questions before you apply.
The deadline for applications is Friday 7 April 2017 at 12.00 noon Brussels time.
