Discover the European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital) 2022 finalists

Cities

One winner and two runners-up will be awarded in each prize category. They will be announced at the EIC Summit on 7 December 2022 in Brussels

The European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital) has announced six finalists for its eighth edition. These cities now have a chance to become the European Capital of Innovation or the European Rising Innovative City in 2022.

Supported by the European Innovation Council under Horizon Europe, the prize recognises the role cities play in shaping the local innovation ecosystem and promoting game-changing innovation.

After a careful selection process with twelve semi-finalist cities, the high-level juries of independent experts have selected six finalists for this year's iCapital awards (presented below, per category and in alphabetical order).

The European Capital of Innovation

Aix-Marseille-Provence Métropole (France)
Espoo (Finland)
València (Spain)

The European Rising Innovative city

Aveiro (Portugal)
Haarlem (Netherlands)
Mainz (Germany)

Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said:

Each year, the EU recognises those cities excelling in building up their innovation ecosystems to positively transform people's lives and encourage breakthrough innovation. I am looking forward to award this year's winners on 7 December at the European Innovation Council Summit.

What happens next?

One winner and two runners-up will be awarded in each prize category. They will be announced at the EIC Summit on 7 December 2022 in Brussels.

Apart from the prestigious recognition, the European Capital of Innovation category winner will receive a prize of €1,000,000, while the two runners-up of this category will get €100,000 each.

Moreover, the European Rising Innovative City category winner will be awarded €500,000, with two runner-up cities receiving €50,000 each.

All finalists will be invited to join the EIC Forum working group on the EIC Prizes Alumni network composed of previous finalists of these Awards.