European Social Innovation Competition Announces Finalists Tackling Disinformation and Empowering Civic Engagement
Brussels – The European Social Innovation Competition (EUSIC) has unveiled the three finalists vying for the top prize in its 2024 edition, themed "Democracy and Engagement." These groundbreaking projects offer innovative solutions to combat disinformation, strengthen democratic practices, and empower grassroots communities across Europe. The finalists were selected by a distinguished panel of experts based on criteria including inclusiveness, social impact, sustainability, scalability, and their contribution to decentralization and governance. The winner will be announced at the European Social Innovation Forum Annual Event – NeSEI, in Brussels on March 11, 2025.
The first finalist, "Cultivating Civic Habits" by Sabiedribas Lidzdalibas Fonds (Latvia), aims to equip young people aged 14-18 with essential civic competencies. Through an engaging mobile application featuring daily activities based on real-life scenarios, the project seeks to nurture informed decision-making and responsible citizenship in a diverse democratic society. By gamifying civic engagement, "Cultivating Civic Habits" aims to instill a sense of civic duty and empower the next generation to actively participate in shaping their communities and countries.
The "Live Agora" project by Stichting TAAT (Netherlands) presents a decentralized, community-owned digital platform fostering user-led collaboration and co-creation. This innovative approach to digital democracy prioritizes user control over data and interactions, ensuring transparency and empowering citizens to actively participate in decision-making processes. Live Agora represents a significant step towards building more inclusive and participatory digital democracies, where citizens have a direct voice in shaping their future.
The third finalist, "The Newsroom" by Título Alternativo LDA (Portugal), offers a cutting-edge tool designed to combat disinformation, connect democratic actors, and empower civil society. Leveraging innovative and inclusive technology, "The Newsroom" aims to foster a more informed and resilient public sphere, enabling citizens to critically evaluate information and engage in constructive dialogue. By tackling the pervasive challenge of disinformation, this project aims to safeguard democratic processes and foster trust in public institutions.
The winner of the European Social Innovation Competition will receive a €75,000 prize, while the second and third runners-up will be awarded €50,000 and €25,000, respectively. Beyond the monetary prizes, all three finalists will gain access to valuable resources and networking opportunities through the Network of Social Entrepreneurs and Innovators (NESEI) Group, a European Innovation Council (EIC) Community platform. This platform provides access to matchmaking events, training programs, bootcamps, workshops, and connections with other innovators and stakeholders within the European innovation ecosystem. This support will be crucial in helping the finalists further develop their projects and maximize their impact.
Now in its twelfth year, the European Social Innovation Competition, backed by the European Innovation Council (EIC) under Horizon Europe, serves as a vital platform for promoting social innovation and inspiring the development of transformative solutions to pressing societal challenges. The competition aims to raise awareness about social innovation among a broad audience and foster the creation of networks connecting like-minded practitioners. Each year, the competition focuses on a specific theme, reflecting a key area of concern for European society. Previous themes have included fighting energy poverty (2023), the future of living (2022), skills for the future (2021), reimagining fashion (2020), challenging plastic waste (2019), and rethinking local communities (2018).
The 2024 edition, centered on "Democracy and Engagement," highlights the crucial role of citizen participation and open technologies in strengthening democratic values and fostering a more inclusive and resilient society. The finalists’ projects exemplify the transformative potential of social innovation in addressing complex societal challenges and empowering communities to shape their own futures. The competition not only recognizes and rewards outstanding social innovators but also contributes to building a vibrant ecosystem of social innovation across Europe.
The European Social Innovation Competition plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of social innovation across Europe. By showcasing and supporting promising social innovators, the competition encourages the development of creative and effective solutions to pressing societal issues. The competition’s focus on specific thematic areas, such as democracy and engagement, helps to channel innovative thinking towards addressing critical challenges facing European societies. Furthermore, the competition fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing among social innovators, creating a dynamic ecosystem where ideas can flourish and impact can be amplified. The competition’s legacy extends beyond the individual winners, contributing to a broader movement towards a more socially just and sustainable future for Europe.
The public is encouraged to follow the competition’s progress and learn more about the finalists’ projects on Twitter using the hashtags #diogochallenge, @EUSocialInnov, and @EUeic. The announcement of the winner on March 11, 2025, will mark a significant milestone in the journey of these innovative projects, providing them with increased visibility and resources to further their impact on European societies. The European Social Innovation Competition continues to be a vital catalyst for positive social change, empowering individuals and communities to build a more equitable and democratic future.