On 21 May 2026, the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) is organising an info session on the 12th edition of the European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital).
During this informative session, participants will discover the main novelties of this edition, especially the eligibility and award criteria. Moreover, they can learn more from previous winners about the 2 Prize categories:
'The European Rising Innovative City' that targets towns and cities with a population of more than 50,000, and
'The European Capital of Innovation' for cities with more than 250,000 inhabitants.
Applications will be open from 5 May 2026 until 4 August 2026.
For any additional information, please check the iCapital webpage or contact EISMEA-ICAPITAL
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (EISMEA-ICAPITAL[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
Please find a short video explaining how to obtain the Participant Identification Code (PIC) below:
Registration period ended on Wednesday 20 May 2026, 15:00 (CEST)
- innovation | smart city
- Thursday 21 May 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 (CEST)
- Online only
Programme
- 21 May 2026, 10:00 - 10:15 (CEST)Welcome and Introduction to the European Capital of Innovation Awards Application Process and Evaluation
Natasa Kurucki, Project Adviser at EISMEA (European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency
- 10:15 - 10:35 (CEST)Winner's testimonials
Amélie Dupraz-Canard, International Economic Relations Officer, Grenoble-Alpes Métropole, European Capital of Innovation 2026
Claus Fallingborg, Investment Manager, Aalborg, European Rising Innovative City 2026
- 10:35 - 10:50 (CEST)Insights from former iCapital Jury Member
Milena Isakovic, Architect, Urban Planner & Civic Participation Innovator
- 10:50 - 11:25 (CEST)Q&A via Slido (#iCapital2027)
- 11:25 - 11:30 (CEST)Final remarks
Practical information
- When
- Thursday 21 May 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 (CEST)
- Where
- Online only
- Languages
- English