European Capital of Innovation Awards 2021: seven finalists named as iCapital expands to rising cities
- ›Seven cities reached the final round of the 2021 European Capital of Innovation Awards across two categories.
- ›Finalists for the new European Rising Innovative City category are Cascais, Trondheim and Vantaa.
- ›Finalists for the European Capital of Innovation category are Dortmund, Dublin, Malaga and Vilnius.
- ›Winners and runners-up will be announced at the EIC Summit on 24 November 2021 and carry cash prizes.
- ›The prize is managed by the European Innovation Council under Horizon Europe and administered by EISMEA.
- ›The 2021 contest received 39 applications and used two independent juries and remote interviews to select finalists.
European Capital of Innovation Awards 2021: finalists announced
The European Innovation Council announced on 5 November 2021 that seven cities have reached the final stage of the seventh edition of the European Capital of Innovation Awards, commonly known as iCapital. For the first time the competition includes a separate category for smaller but fast‑growing urban areas called the European Rising Innovative City. The winners and runners-up in both categories will be revealed at the inaugural EIC Summit in Brussels on 24 November 2021.
Who reached the final
The juries selected finalists after a selection process that involved 39 initial applications, 16 semi-finalists, and remote hearings. The seven cities that made the final are listed below by category and in alphabetical order.
European Rising Innovative City (population 50 000 to 249 999)
Cascais (Portugal), Trondheim (Norway), Vantaa (Finland)
European Capital of Innovation (cities with more than 250 000 inhabitants)
Dortmund (Germany), Dublin (Ireland), Malaga (Spain), Vilnius (Lithuania)
Money, recognition and the mechanics
Beyond the public recognition associated with an EU prize, winning cities receive direct cash awards. The Institute running the prize outlines a multi-stage selection process managed by the European Innovation Council and the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency, known as EISMEA, with assessments by two independent expert juries and remote interviews for semi-finalists.
| Category | Winner prize | Runners-up |
| European Capital of Innovation (cities >250 000) | EUR 1,000,000 | Two runners-up with EUR 100,000 each |
| European Rising Innovative City (50 000 to 249 999) | EUR 500,000 | Two runners-up with EUR 50,000 each |
Institutional context and key actors
Eligibility, history and reach
iCapital began in 2014 to reward European cities promoting inclusive innovation ecosystems. Past winners include Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris, Athens, Nantes and Leuven. The 2021 edition introduced the Rising Innovative City category to recognise smaller urban areas with populations between 50 000 and 249 999. Applicants must be located in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe associated country and meet population thresholds.
Quote and official framing
Mariya Gabriel, the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said that the finalist cities "test new innovative concepts on a large scale and join the group of pioneering cities that actively push boundaries of urban innovation" and called them an inspiration for other cities. She also confirmed that winners would be announced during the first EIC Summit on 24 November 2021.
Implications and a cautious assessment
The prize is primarily a recognition instrument. Winning can bring media attention, a cash boost and a place in the iCapital alumni network that facilitates peer learning. That said, public recognition and one-off prize money do not automatically guarantee long term scaling of projects or systemic change in city governance. Translating award visibility into sustainable investment, governance reform and measurable citizen outcomes remains an operational challenge. Municipal capacity, follow through on procurement and budgetary commitments, and the ability to attract private cofinancing are decisive for long term impact.
What happens next and practical notes
Winners and runners-up in both categories will be announced at the EIC Summit on 24 November 2021. All semi-finalists will be invited to join a network of pioneering cities that exchange best practices. The call for the 2021 edition received 39 applications from EU and associated countries and closed on 15 July 2021. The awards are part of the EIC Prizes under Horizon Europe and are managed by EISMEA.
| Milestone | Date or detail | Notes |
| Call closed | 15 July 2021 | 39 applications received |
| Semi-final stage | September to October 2021 | 16 semi-finalists invited to remote interviews |
| Finalists announced | 5 November 2021 | Seven cities across two categories |
| Winners announced | 24 November 2021 | At the EIC Summit in Brussels |
Where to find more information
The prize is administered by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency. Interested readers can consult the EIC and EISMEA webpages on the European Capital of Innovation Awards for application rules, evaluation criteria and previous winners. The EIC Summit programme will present the winners and feature panel discussions about innovation, public procurement and scaling.
Final note
iCapital is a well established EU recognition prize that helps create a visible cohort of cities experimenting with urban innovation. Observers should treat the awards as a useful signal rather than definitive proof of transformative urban change. Long term public value depends on sustained policy action, cross-sectoral partnerships and credible metrics for measuring the effect of innovation on citizens' wellbeing.