April 2022 saw the launch of the 10th European Social innovation Competition with important prizes for innovators. This innovation competition aims to support innovators develop their ideas into working solutions and creating a network of these radical innovators shaping our society. This innovation challenge recognizes social innovation as a powerful agent to respond to societal challenges.
The European Social Innovation Competition (EUSIC) started in 2013 to honor the social innovation pioneer Diogo Vasconcelos. The competition prizes are three Challenge Prizes and one Impact Prize for the best social innovation projects seeking a more inclusive, just, and sustainable Europe. This article provides more information about these social innovation competitions and their prizes.
The two challenges for innovation funding
This new edition of the European Social Innovation Competition (EUSIC) differs from previous editions with an additional category for applications. Let's find out more about them.
The Challenge Prize
This prize searches for ideas that focus on ground-breaking, market-creating, and deep-tech breakthroughs. These innovations must align with the competition's theme for this year: "the future of living, innovation for affordable and sustainable housing areas."
This theme realizes the objectives of the New European Bauhaus, which wants to re-invent how we live to meet the goals of the European Green Deal. The EUSIC 2022 innovation challenge will reward social innovators who trigger cultural changes for more sustainable living.
Housing districts that are more livable, sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to people's needs might benefit from social innovation. It has the potential to provide jobs and enhance energy efficiency while also assuring the sustainability and well-being of communities and regions. Renovation of buildings becomes a chance for local innovation, community wellness, green job generation, and digital transition when addressed from an innovative viewpoint.
Any EU citizen or legal entity from Horizon Europe Associated Countries can apply for the Challenge Prize. From a number of 30 finalists, there will be three winners who will each claim €50,000.
Submit your applications for the Challenge Prize by 17 May.
Find more information on the Challenge Prize here.
The Impact Prize
The European Social Innovation Impact Prize 2022 is the new addition to the 10th anniversary of the EUSIC challenge. The Impact Prize gives the European Social Innovation Competition Challenge Prize 2021 finalists a second chance to receive recognition for their innovations. Specifically, applicants will compete on the evolution of their original applications, the development of the best impact methodology, and who, among all participants, demonstrated the best results.
Therefore, to be eligible for the Impact Prize, you must be one of the 27 semi-finalists of the European Social Innovation Challenge Prize 2021. Additionally, applicants must be located in one of the EU member states or any associated countries. Last year's winners of the Competition Challenge Prize 2021 are not eligible to take part. There will be one winner who will receive the competition prize of €50,000.
Submit your applications for the Impact Prize by 24 May.
Find more information on EUSIC Impact Prize here.
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