These innovative projects are developing promising tools to battle disinformation, foster emerging democratic practices, and empower grassroots communities, thereby reinforcing civil society engagement through participation and open technologies.
The finalists have been selected by a jury of experts for their innovative approaches, inclusiveness, positive social impact, sustainability, scalability, and their contributions toward decentralisation and governance. The competition, open to social innovators from EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries, aimed to spotlight pioneering ideas in social innovation.
The finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
“Cultivating Civic Habits” by Sabiedribas Lidzdalibas Fonds (Latvia)
This initiative aims to enhance civic competencies among young people aged 14-18, empowering them to make informed public decisions as responsible citizens in a diverse, democratic society. The project offers an engaging app featuring daily civic activities based on real-life scenarios, designed to foster civic competence and engagement.
“Live Agora” project by Stichting TAAT (Netherlands)
A digital platform facilitating user-led collaboration and co-creation, Live Agora embraces a decentralised, community-owned model. This project ensures users maintain complete control over their data and interactions, promoting an innovative approach to digital democracy.
“The Newsroom” by Título Alternativo LDA (Portugal)
A tool geared towards digital democracy, this project is equipped to address disinformation, connect democratic actors, and empower civil society using innovative and inclusive technology.
What's next?
The winner will be announced on 11 March 2025 at the European Social Innovation Forum Annual Event - NeSEI, in Brussels. The European Social Innovation Competition winner will receive a €75 000 prize, while the second and third runners-up will be awarded €50,000 and €25,000, respectively.
Moreover, all three finalists will join the Network of Social Entrepreneurs and Innovators (NESEI) Group, a European Innovation Council (EIC) Community platform designed for expanding business and networking opportunities among EIC-funded organisations, and other innovation stakeholders. The platform provides access to matchmaking events, training, bootcamps, workshops, and the broader European innovation ecosystem.
Background
The European Social Innovation Competition (EUSIC), now in its twelfth edition, is supported by the European Innovation Council (EIC) under Horizon Europe. The competition aims to raise awareness of social innovation to a wide audience and inspires the creation of new socially innovative ideas and networks of like-minded practitioners.
Past editions’ challenges were: ‘fighting energy poverty’ (2023), ‘the future of living, innovation for affordable and sustainable housing districts’ (2022), Skills for tomorrow - Shaping a green and digital future (2021), Reimagine Fashion (2020), Challenging Plastic Waste (2019), Re:think Local (2018), Equality Rebooted (2017), Integrated Futures (2016), New Ways to Grow (2015), The Job Challenge (2014), and New forms of work (2013).
Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner and follow the latest updates on Twitter @EUSocialInnov @EUeic #diogochallenge.
More information: The European Social Innovation Competition
Details
- Publication date
- 20 February 2025
- Author
- European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency