2019 Semi-Finalists of European Social Innovation Comp Meet in Italy
The 2019 Academy of the European Social Innovation Competition is due to kick off in the Italian city of Turin next week. The three-day educational and networking event, starting on 16 July, has become a highlight of the social innovation calendar in Europe - each year bringing industry experts into contact with some of Europe’s most promising social entrepreneurs.
Last month, the European Commission announced the 30 participants, from 19 countries, who were chosen to attend the Academy of the European Social Innovation Competition. These ‘Semi-Finalists’ were selected from 543 applicants from across Europe to contribute to solve one of the big issues of our time: Challenging Plastic Waste.
The European Social Innovation Competition’s 2019 Academy will focus on the key ingredients needed to build a sustainable social venture. Training will primarily take the form of workshops delivered by experienced social innovators and articulated around four key topics: innovation, impact, sustainability and scale.
The Semi-Finalists will also receive personalized support from a coach, based in their own country. This prepares them for the next stage of the Competition, where they will be asked to submit extensive Development Plans to the Judging Panel. The aim of the Academy and subsequent support is to empower the Semi-Finalists to develop their projects into viable business propositions.
This year’s Academy will also feature a public event on 17 July called the ‘Future of European Social Innovation’ hosted in collaboration with Nesta Italia. At this evening event, industry leaders will gather to discuss the state of regional social innovation and the successes of the European Social Innovation Competition. The 2019 Semi-Finalists of European Social Innovation Competition Meet in Turin social innovation ecosystem.
Later this year, Competition Judges will have the responsibility of selecting 10 Finalists among whom will be the three winners. Each winner will be awarded 50,000 Euros. An Impact Prize of 50,000 Euros will also be awarded to the 2018 Semi-Finalist that has achieved the most significant social impact over the past 12 months. All of the 2019 Finalists and Semi-Finalists will be invited to attend the Competition’s 2019 Awards Ceremony in Brussels in October.
Launched in memory of social innovation pioneer Diogo Vasconcelos, the European Social Innovation Competition is a challenge prize run by the European Commission across all EU Member States and Horizon 2020 associated countries. Now in its 7th year, the Competition acts as a beacon for social innovators in Europe, employing a proven methodology for supporting early-stage ideas and facilitating a network of radical innovators shaping society for the better. Each year the Competition addresses a different issue facing Europe. This year the focus is: Challenging Plastic Waste.
The Competition is organized by the European Commission with support from Nesta, Kennisland, Ashoka Spain, the European Network of Living Labs, and Scholz & Friends.
For information on earlier editions and winning projects, visit: www.eusic.challenges.org
Image source: eusic.challenges.org