The event will showcase the 10 finalists of the 2019 edition, as well as feature the announcement of this year’s 3 winners, who will each receive a €50,000 prize. 

The theme for the 2019 European Social Innovation Competition is 'challenging plastic waste'. It launched in February 2019 in Ljubljana, Slovenia with the aim of supporting ideas and projects that reduce plastic waste and littering through changing and improving existing processes, or through introducing brand new products and initiatives. 30 semi-finalists were selected for a 3-day training academy held in Turin, Italy where they received individual tailored coaching. 

The event will also feature the announcement of the 2019 'Impact Prize Winner', an award which goes to the semi-finalist from the 2018 edition of the competition that has achieved the most significant social impact over the past year. 

At the event, you will hear from each of the 10 finalists about their projects and from expert speakers on social innovation in Europe. To attend, please register.

Background

Launched by the European Commission in memory of social innovation pioneer Diogo Vasconcelos, the European Social Innovation Competition is a challenge prize run by the Commission across all EU countries and Horizon 2020 associated countries. Now in its 7^th 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 is based around a different issue facing Europe.