A Celebration of Democracy in the Heart of Europe
Vienna, the 2025 European Capital of Democracy, hosted this year’s Innovation in Politics Awards, celebrating bold political leadership and outstanding democratic innovation from across Europe. At a festive gala in Vienna City Hall, eight winning projects were announced, selected by over 1,000 European citizens from more than 300 submissions spanning 34 countries.
The Awards were launched by The Innovation in Politics Institute in 2017 and have been presented annually since then. Today, they are a key event of every European Capital of Democracy’s year-long programme, recognising exemplary political work that strengthens democratic values and improves people’s lives.
Under the patronage of the European Parliament and under the auspices of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Alain Berset, this year’s edition of the Awards gathered more than 500 political leaders and guests from around Europe.
The Winners of The Innovation in Politics Awards 2025
Selected by an international Citizens’ Jury, these eight projects represent outstanding examples of political innovation and impact.
Listed below in alphabetical order by category, the awarded projects set new standards for democratic excellence across Europe:
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Circular Economy
Cascais’ Circular Economy Model: Smart Used Cooking Oil Collection System (Sistema de Recolha de Óleos Alimentares Usados) | Cascais, Portugal -
Climate Protection
Greece’s First Eco Island | Halki, Greece -
Democracy
GPB + Youth: Young Voices, Real Choices | Gaia, Portugal -
Democracy Technologies
The Counter Disinformation Network (CDN) | Germany -
Education
Smart Learning with YEP: The Future of Personalized Education | Kyiv, Ukraine -
Local Development
Campus Rural: Revitalising Rural Spain Through Student Internships | Spain -
Public Health & Ageing Society
ALLES CLARA: Digital Relief and Care Counselling for Family Carers | Austria -
Social Cohesion & Integration
School Gardens for Learning, Healing, and Community Resilience | Poland
Each winner demonstrates how visionary political work can meet complex societal challenges, from digital participation to inclusion, sustainability, and health, while renewing citizens’ trust in democratic governance.
Vienna at the Centre of Europe’s Democratic Momentum
The Innovation in Politics Awards 2025 took place on 17 September, featuring an exchange conference and an evening gala. Held in Vienna’s historic City Hall, the event brought together policymakers, experts, finalists, and engaged citizens to exchange ideas and celebrate political innovation.
Helfried Carl, Founder of the European Capital of Democracy Initiative, said:
“For the 8th time now, the Awards have been a firework of innovative and practical solutions to today’s political challenges. Vienna as the European Capital of Democracy has proved to be a great host to the festivities.”
Jürgen Czernohorszky, Executive City Councillor for Climate, Environment, Democracy and Personnel, City of Vienna, commented:
“The challenges facing Europe are great, but our capacity for innovation to overcome them is just as great. This is demonstrated by the diversity of the projects submitted for this year’s Innovation in Politics Awards. Given the many projects that focus on environmental sustainability, social justice and the further development of democracy, I am convinced that Europe has a bright future ahead of it.”
Erik Jones, keynote speaker at the Awards Gala, noted:
“Innovation in politics has never been more necessary than it is today. Voters feel unrepresented. Politicians feel powerless. Institutions seem ineffective. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Now is the time for imagination to show what democracy can accomplish.”
About The Innovation in Politics Awards
Since 2017, The Innovation in Politics Awards have honoured courageous, creative, and effective political initiatives from across the Council of Europe’s member states and Kosovo. All projects are assessed by a European citizens’ jury of more than 1,000 people. The Awards promote democratic excellence and showcase political leaders and initiatives that drive meaningful change.
Since 2024, the Awards have been operated by the European Capital of Democracy NPO. The Awards Conference & Gala is an official event of the ECoD Democracy Year, hosted annually in the designated European Capital of Democracy. In 2026, the Awards will be held in Cascais, Portugal, the next European Capital of Democracy.
Press Contacts for More Information
Miriam Hargašová
Head of Awards
European Capital of Democracy
mh@innovationinpolitics.euDenica Yotova
Head of Communications
The Innovation in Politics Institute
dy@innovationinpolitics.eu