European Social Innovation Competitions

News – Broader Programmes

European Social Innovation Competitions

21 January 2022

What was the European Social Innovation Competition?

We worked with the European Commission on nine Competitions which took place between 2013 and 2021.

The European Social Innovation Competition launched in 2013 and acts as a beacon for social innovators across Europe, employing a proven methodology for supporting early-stage ideas and facilitating a network of radical innovators shaping our society for the better. Each year the Competition addresses a different issue facing Europe.

Through its combination of financial and non-financial support during the Competition as well as the ongoing opportunities it offers to its alumni, the Competition has unearthed game-changing ideas from all across Europe and helped them to become viable, scalable and visible social enterprises.

The Competition is supported by a consortium of organisations from across Europe. From 2015 to 2021,  the consortium was led by Challenge Works and included Euclid NetworkGOPA Com. and Ashoka Spain.

Why are we doing this?

We are honoured and proud of having delivered the Competition since its inception in 2013, and we will continue to support the European Commission in their mission to deliver impactful future editions of the Competition.

Previous editions of the Competition

Skills for Tomorrow - shaping a green and digital future
2021
Skills for tomorrow
The 9th European Social Innovation Competition was looking for scalable social innovations that would contribute to job creation, growth and European competitiveness by helping people, businesses and industries identify, develop and strengthen the skills that will power the European economy’s green and digital future.
Reimagine Fashion logo
2020
Reimagine Fashion
The 8th European Social Innovation Competition was looking for ideas and ventures that aimed to improve the environmental and social impact of the European fashion market through the development of new products, services and processes, and innovative business models.
Challenging Plastic Waste - European Social Innovation Competition 2019
2019
Challenging Plastic Waste
The 7th European Social Innovation Competition focused on ideas that reduce plastic waste and littering through changing and improving existing processes or through introducing brand-new products and initiatives.
European Social Innovation Competition 2018 Rethink Local
2018
Rethink Local
The 6th European Social Innovation Competition focused on place-based approaches to empowering young people in a changing economy.
Equality Rebooted - European Social Innovation Competition 2017
2017
Equality Rebooted
The 5th European Social Innovation Competition focused on ideas to ensure everyone in Europe benefits from the opportunities created by technological changes.
Integrated Futures - European Social Innovation Competition 2016
2016
Integrated Futures
The 4th European Social Innovation Competition focused on projects to support the reception and integration of refugees and migrants in Europe.
New Ways to Grow - European Social Innovation Competition 2015
2015
New Ways to Grow
The 3rd European Social Innovation Competition focused on sustainable approaches to increasing financial growth and social progress.
European Social Innovation Competition logo
2014
The Job Challenge
The 2nd European Social Innovation Competition sought innovative solutions for creating new types of work and address social needs.
European Social Innovation Competition logo
2013
New Forms of Work
The first edition of the Competition sought innovative solutions for creating new opportunities for work, and for better work.
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013

How did the Competition come about?

Diogo Vasconcelos was a Portuguese leader who focused on fostering innovation to address some of the great societal challenges of our time. During his career he worked closely with the European Commission and others on issues such as globalisation, sustainability, climate change, urbanisation, democratic participation and healthcare.

Diogo sadly passed away in 2011 at the age of 43. To keep his ambitions alive, the European Commission established the European Social Innovation Competition to inspire entrepreneurs across the continent to continue developing ideas that tackle the challenges our society faces.

Each year, three €50,000 prizes are awarded for the most innovative projects designed to change the world for the better.

The winners

Learn more about the different Competitions

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