European Capital of Innovation Awards 2022 launches, offering up to €1 million to winning cities
- ›The European Commission opened the 2022 edition of the European Capital of Innovation Awards, known as iCapital.
- ›Two award streams are available, with top prizes of €1 million and €500 000 respectively and smaller runner-up awards.
- ›Cities from EU Member States and countries associated to Horizon Europe with at least 50 000 inhabitants may apply.
- ›Entries will be judged by two independent high-level juries against five criteria including experimentation and ecosystem building.
- ›The application deadline is 30 June 2022 at 17:00 CET.
European Capital of Innovation Awards 2022 opens for applications
On 3 March 2022 the European Commission launched the eighth edition of the European Capital of Innovation Awards, commonly called iCapital. The contest is supported by the European Innovation Council under the Horizon Europe programme and is organised by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency, EISMEA. The awards aim to recognise and promote cities that act as hubs for local innovation ecosystems.
Who can apply and how much is at stake
The competition is open to cities with at least 50 000 inhabitants located in EU Member States and countries associated to Horizon Europe. Applicants must submit their applications by 30 June 2022, 17:00 CET. The contest is split into two categories, each carrying monetary awards intended to help winners scale up and share their practices.
| Category | Population bracket | Winner | Runners-up |
| European Capital of Innovation | Minimum 250 000 inhabitants, exceptions possible where no such city exists | €1 000 000 | Two runners-up, €100 000 each |
| Rising Innovative City | 50 000 to 249 999 inhabitants | €500 000 | Two runners-up, €50 000 each |
Evaluation process and selection criteria
Two high-level juries of independent experts will assess applications. The assessment focuses on how applicant cities are pushing the boundaries of urban innovation. The Commission refers to five main criteria that juries will use, and applicants are expected to demonstrate concrete evidence of impact and replicability.
Eligibility nuances and procedural notes
The rules allow some exceptions for population thresholds in countries that lack cities of 250 000 inhabitants. Cities that have previously won the European Capital of Innovation prize or the immediate runners-up in 2023 are generally not eligible for the same awards for the same activities. Applicants that have already received an EU or Euratom prize cannot receive a second prize for the same activities. Full exceptions and procedural details are set out in the rules of contest available from the EIC and EISMEA.
Timeline
| Stage | Date or period |
| Call opens | 3 March 2022 |
| Deadline for applications | 30 June 2022, 17:00 CET |
| Evaluation period | After submission, assessed by two independent juries |
Background and past winners
iCapital began in 2014 and is managed under the EIC Prizes framework within Horizon Europe. The award has previously recognised larger European cities that have built visible innovation capacities. Earlier European Capitals of Innovation include Barcelona 2014, Amsterdam 2016, Paris 2017, Athens 2018, Nantes 2019, Leuven 2020 and Dortmund 2021. The Rising Innovative City category was introduced in 2021, with Vantaa receiving the inaugural title.
What the prize delivers and what to watch for
The prize combines financial support with increased visibility and access to an alumni network intended to facilitate knowledge exchange. The Commission says the monetary award is intended to help share and scale best practices. From a policy perspective, the prize is a lever to encourage experimentation in cities and to promote inclusive innovation.
However, the practical impact of awards on long term urban transformation should be considered realistically. A one-off grant, even of €1 million, is small against most city budgets and the investment needs of scaling programmes. Meaningful systemic change requires sustained funding, multi-level governance, clear metrics for outcomes and follow-up mechanisms. The effectiveness of iCapital will therefore depend on how winners use the funds, whether practices are rigorously evaluated, and whether dissemination feeds into broader policy learning across the EU.
Practical information and contacts
Full application details and exceptions are published in the rules of contest and the EIC work programme. The prize is administered by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency, EISMEA.
Why this matters for EU innovation policy
Cities will account for an increasing share of the European population and of economic activity in the coming decades. The Commission frames the prize as part of a broader effort to strengthen local innovation ecosystems, catalyse green and digital transitions and spread good practices. For policymakers and city leaders, participation can be useful for signalling commitment and accessing networks. For analysts and civil society, the key questions will be whether the competition drives durable improvements in inclusiveness, whether it supports smaller and less connected cities, and whether outcomes are tracked transparently.