The annual Innovation in Politics Awards recognise creative politicians from across Europe who have the courage to break new ground to find innovative solutions for today’s challenges. The Awards are presented to the politicians in recognition of their innovative projects based on our European values of social balance, democracy, and human rights – regardless of their party affiliation or level of government.
Each year, a citizens’ jury of over 1,000 Europeans evaluate the projects to determine the finalists and winners in the Awards’ categories. From 2024 onwards, the Awards finals will always be held at the current European Capital of Democracy.
The nominees demonstrate how communities and countries are finding new ways to make our lives better.
Impact
Since 2017, The Innovation in Politics Awards have honoured 650 political innovators. Through the Awards, The Innovation in Politics Institute gives visibility to outstanding political minds in Europe, provides them with a platform to present their innovative projects, and facilitates best practice exchange across borders.
What innovators say about The Awards
The Awards Categories
The Innovation in Politics Awards 2024 are presented in eight categories:
Democracy
(Equality, Community, Inclusion)
Climate Protection
(Decarbonisation, Environmental Protection, Sustainability)
Democracy Technologies
(Digital Participation, Deliberation, E-Voting)
Government Improvement
(Transparency, Accountability, Low Threshold)
Social Cohesion
(Diversity, Migration, Engagement)
Local Development
(Rural Areas, Local Initiatives, Local Economy)
Education
(Learning, Teaching, Empowerment)
Party Innovation
How to Participate
Become Part of The Innovation in Politics Awards
You can nominate a great project you know about, submit your own project or become part of the Europe-wide citizens’ jury.
As one of our 1,000 citizens’ jurors for The Innovation in Politics Awards, your voice will help to decide which projects are recognised as the most exemplary in Europe!
Have you successfully implemented an innovative project locally or nationally which has improved wellbeing in your community? Tell us about it!
Do you know of a project worthy of a European award? We are always on the look out for “best practice solutions which have had a positive impact on the community?
The Citizens’ Jury
BRINGING CITIZENS TO THE HEART OF THE INNOVATION IN POLITICS AWARDS
The Awards Journey
THE PROCESS FROM NOMINATIONS TO WINNERS
The Awards process starts with the submission or nomination of innovative political projects. These are then evaluated by the Citizens’ Jury. The finalists are subsequently invited to a conference and a gala ceremony, where the winners are announced and celebrated with their awards.
Nomination
Anyone can nominate a project. If the project meets the formal criteria, we will contact the person responsible for the project and encourage them to submit it to the Awards.
Submission
Any political innovator serving in a Council of Europe member country can submit their own project through the Awards website by filling out the submission form.
Initial Check of the Formal Criteria
The Innovation in Politics Institute checks if the project submission
- is complete
- meets the formal criteria
- needs to be translated to English
Jury Process
A citizens’ jury of 1,000 jurors from across Europe evaluates the projects based on three criteria: innovation, participation, and sustainability.
Announcement of Finalists
The 10 top-scoring projects in each category are selected as finalists. The finalists are notified and published on our website.
Awards Events
From 2024 onwards, the Awards finals will always be held at the current European Capital of Democracy: The upcoming edition 2024 will take place in Barcelona. The finalists will attend an exchange conference on their exemplary projects and the prestigious gala ceremony, where the winners are announced and presented with their awards.
Nomination
Anyone can nominate a project. If the project meets the formal criteria, The Innovation in Politics Institute will contact the politician who is responsible for the project and encourage them to submit it to the Awards.
Submission
Any politician serving in a Council of Europe member country can submit his or her own project through the Awards website by filling out the submission form.
Initial Check of the Formal Criteria
The Innovation in Politics Institute checks if the project submission
- is complete
- meets the formal criteria
- needs to be translated to English
Jury Process
A citizens’ jury of 1,000 jurors from across Europe evaluates the projects based on three criteria: innovation, participation, and sustainability.
Announcement of Finalists
The 10 top-scoring projects in each category are selected as the finalists. The finalists are notified and published on our website.
Awards Events
All of the finalists attend a conference and gala ceremony, where the winners are announced and presented with their awards.*
