Yesterday, at the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk, the European Commission officially launched the 2015 edition of the European Social Innovation Competition.

The European Commision recognises the role of social innovation as a powerful force for change and as a new source for growth. The Competition seeks to identify individuals and organisations with entrepreneurial, game changing ideas.

There is a common understanding that current models of growth are no longer fit for a society where scarcity is the new reality. This years’ theme ‘New Ways to Grow’ will encourage entries with the potential to exemplify new models of growth that will sustain not only financial value, but also social progress for citizens, government and enterprises alike. The competition aims to deliver support for creative and tangible ideas that can change the way our European economies and societies operate and interact.

Examples of ideas and projects that the Commission is looking to support may include:

• Collaborative economy – ideas that challenge assumptions on which economic growth is usually conceived
• Supply and production – ideas that question supply chain, production and delivery modes, or usage of mainstream products or services
• New technologies – new ideas, or ideas that propose smarter use of existing technologies for the benefit of society
• Solutions for future challenges e.g. ageing, climate change or sustainable food.

The Competition is open to applicants across the European Union and in countries participating in the European Horizon 2020 programme for research and innovation. Social innovation is a core dimension of the programme. The Competition will help the most innovative ideas to turn into concrete projects and sustainable businesses. The most promising applications will be chosen as semi-finalists and the teams will be invited to a social innovation academy in Vienna in September to progress their ideas. The three most effective projects will each be awarded with a prize of €50,000 at the awards ceremony to take place in Brussels in November 2015.

The competition deadline is Friday 8 May 2015 at 12.00 Brussels time (noon)

For full details please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/growth/social-innovation-competition

For questions about applications please contact: [email protected].