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.
A citizens’ jury comprising over 1,000 Europeans evaluates the projects to determine the finalists and winners in the Awards’ nine categories.
Every year, the finalists and winners prove how politics can successfully address today’s challenges. We highlight their innovative work to serve as a source of inspiration for others.
Impact
Since 2017, The Innovation in Politics Awards have honoured 598 people who are at the forefront of political innovation. With this Award, The Innovation in Politics Institute gives visibility to the best political minds in Europe, provides them with a platform to present their innovative projects, and facilitates best practice exchange across borders.
The Awards Categories
The Innovation in Politics Awards are presented in nine 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
(Transparency, Mobilization, Technology)
How to Participate
Be Part of The Innovation in Politics Awards
You can participate in The Innovation in Politics Awards by nominating a project you know about, submitting your own project or becoming 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 political projects are recognised as the most innovative in Europe!
Have you successfully implemented an innovative political project locally or nationally which has improved wellbeing in your community? Tell us about it!
Do you know of a political project worthy of a Europe-wide award? A courageous project which provides innovative solutions and has a positive impact on the community?
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The Citizens’ Jury
THE HEART OF THE INNOVATION IN POLITICS AWARDS
The Awards Journey
THE ROAD TO PRESENTING THE WINNERS WITH THEIR AWARDS
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 an evening 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.*
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.*
Awards History
What people say about The Innovation in Politics Awards
