The Innovation in Politics Institute

ACT NOW Mayors’ Conference Concludes with Vienna Declaration to Drive Local Climate Action 

More than 200 mayors, heads of international organisations, municipal leaders, young innovators, and sustainability experts gathered in the Austrian capital on 5-6 May 2025 for the ACT NOW Mayors’ Conference — a major highlight of Vienna’s role as this year’s European Capital of Democracy — where the Vienna Declaration on local climate action and democratic transformation was adopted.

WHAT's New

Cascais designated as European Capital of Democracy 2026

March 18, 2025

In a two-stage selection process involving Experts’ Jurors and over 4,500 citizens from over 47 countries, the City of Cascais (Portugal) was selected as “European Capital of Democracy 2026”. The title is a recognition of and a motivation for outstanding democratic efforts.

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PRESS RELEASES

And the winners of the Innovation in Politics Awards 2024 are…

May 12, 2024

We are proud to announce the winners of this year’s Innovation in Politics Awards in each of the seven categories. At the official Awards Gala on 2 May 2024 at the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, the exemplary projects from seven European countries received their well deserved trophy.

2024 Innovation in Politics Awards Now Open

September 4, 2023

Vienna, Austria, 4th September 2023 For the seventh consecutive year, the Innovation in Politics Institute has officially opened the application process for its annual Awards programme. Against the backdrop of mounting challenges in politics, economics,

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WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US

I am very honoured and grateful for this Award. But the European Solidarity Corps would not be what it is today, without the dedication of all those young people that are part of it. So I thank especially these young people for building cultural bridges and creating a Europe of solidarity
Jean-Claude Juncker
Jean-Claude JunckerAwards Winner 2018 - Category Civilisation
If I had to use one word to sum it up it would be open – open to innovation, opening data – owned and produced by public administration, opening access to knowledge and sciences and entering that access is available to all everywhere in the country.
Axelle Lemaire
Axelle LemaireFormer French Minister / Awards Winner 2017 - Category Democracy
Cities, even when they are small, they can share and exchange lots. And this is why we are particularly glad to receive this Award. This is full in line with the spirit of the municipality to share these good practices.
Gilles Pérole
Gilles PéroleDeputy Mayor of the Municipality of Mouans Sartoux, Awards Winner 2020 in the category Education
A lot of people trust me and my colleagues just because of what we do. But some of them also look for an external confirmation. Such a prestigious award, by a body that is not connected with any political party or a government, is a very good proof for those who need proof.
Katarzyna Gruszecka-Spychała
Katarzyna Gruszecka-SpychałaDeputy Mayor of Gdynia for Economy, Winner of The Innovation in Politics Award for Economy in 2020
Being a finalist is a great encouragement to keep going and to feel that everything we do is worth the effort.
Alison Cahn
Alison CahnBAFTA winning journalist and Director at Green Elephant at Halton Mill. Awards Finalist 2019, UK Climate Emergency Network
Being here, representing our projects from Ireland in a room full of such fantastic projects, innovative people, clever, enthusiastic and energetic people, alle moving in the same direction looking to move politics forward, looking to take on the challenge of what politics brings and looking to do it in new and innovative ways. I find it very refreshing to be in a space in which people are speaking strongly and proudly about politics. I think this is something that’s not done enough. I think that often politicians in particular are a bit shy about talking about politics in any kind of positive way. And I think that this is something we need to look at.
Councillor David Gilroy
Councillor David GilroyAwards Finalist 2019, Athboy Walkability and Inclusive Town Developments
It means a lot for us to be finalists at The Innovation in Politics Awards. We come from a small place in the midlands of Ireland and we were involved in the community engagement side of it. What we find here is like minded people, under the community engagement banner, we find similar problems, similar challenges with the people we have met here. We are from a very small place, the people at our table were from London, but the challenges were very very similar and it was surprising to see that. So it was great to note that the challenges are similar across Europe.
John McKeon
John McKeonDirector of Finance & Regeneration - Executive Director Longford Municipal District, Awards Finalist 2019, Longford Nua
We are delighted to be finalists because it shows that also small projects can and do make a difference. We are delighted to meet other projects of similar sizes at our table and we were delighted to see the difference our project made in Monaghan where we live. We were able to take up ideas from the other projects that were on our table.
Fintan McPhillips
Fintan McPhillipsLCDC Chief Officer, Community Development Section, Monaghan County Council, Awards Finalist 2019, Your Vote Your Voice
PartyParty covers topics and shares insights that are interesting and helpful to me as a political professional - as a Member of Parliament as well as an active member of my party. It is an easy way to stay up to date and get inspired by other political parties across Europe.
Thomas Weber
Thomas WeberNEOS, MP, Vienna, Austria