The competition supports innovators to develop their ideas into working solutions, and facilitates a network of radical innovators shaping our society. This prize acknowledges the social innovation as a potent approach for responding to societal challenges.

Launched in 2013 in memory of social innovation pioneer Diogo Vasconcelos, the European Social Innovation Competition (EUSIC) awards three prizes for the best socially innovative projects for a more inclusive, just, and sustainable Europe. 

Learn more about  the history of the competition.

This year’s the European Social Innovation Competition 2023 will focus on ‘Fighting energy poverty’ – Repower EU.

Proposed solutions can focus for example on aspects related to monitoring, awareness raising, specific target groups, pricing models, production, consumption and energy savings, renovations, energy community and joint investments, or investments among others. In this context, social innovations could result in a new or adapted service or business model or technologic development.

On 31 August, 15 finalists have been announced. Find out more about these inspiring projects in this news alert.

The three winners were revealed on 14 November 2023 during the European Social Innovation Competition Awards ceremony in San Sebastian, Spain, and rewarded with EUR 50 000 each. Check them on the EUSIC 2023 winners webpage.

The call for proposals is closed. The deadline for submission was 30 May 2023.

You can consult the EIC Work Programme 2023 featuring the full EUSIC call text.

Any natural person or legal entity can apply to the category, as long as they:

• are located in an EU Member State or an Associated Country to Horizon Europe
• The proposed solutions or activities contained in the application must have taken place in a Member State (including overseas countries and territories, OCTs) or in an Associated Country to Horizon Europe.

Please consult the following document before submitting your application through the link above.

• Rules of contest

For more information please contact us at EISMEA-EUSICec [dot] europa [dot] eu (EISMEA-EUSIC[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu).

Please check this webpage for updates, and follow us @EUeic (#EUSIC, #diogochallenge) or subscribe to our newsletter.