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.
Trust in local government makes entrepreneurs more courageous: How Gdynia is navigating the COVID-19 crisis.
With her project Covid-19 Support for Gdynia’s Entrepreneurs, Katarzyna Gruszecka-Spychała and her team won The Innovation in Politics Award 2020 in the category Economy. We spoke to her two months after the Awards to learn more about her project and how her city has changed in the pandemic.
Bringing up The Innovation in Politics Awards 2020
2020 challenged us to find solutions for problems we did not know existed. The Innovation in Politics Awards proved that global crises could not curb the innovative spirit of politicians across Europe. We only had to find a way to make it visible.
The 2020 Awards jury has started their work
1,050 Europeans have joined the 2020 Innovation in Politics Awards jury. Now the evaluation process has begun.
The Innovation in Politics Awards 2020
Become a part of the Innovation in Politics Awards 2020 and help us to improve politics and democracy in Europe. Nominate a project! Become a juror! Spread the word!
The Awards Categories
The Innovation in Politics Awards are presented in nine categories:
Community
Empowerment, Civic Engagement, Social Cohesion
We honour local and regional political work that fosters cooperation and peaceful coexistence of all groups in our communities as well as the appreciation of diversity.
Democracy
Participation, Transparency, Self-Determination
We honour political work that strengthens democracy by providing for an open and free society and enabling new and effective forms of participation in decision-making.
Digitalisation
E-Government, Information Technology, Social Media
We honour political work that applies and improves information and communication technologies in democratic processes, government services, and other areas of public life, and which support the transition to not only more but better jobs for humans.
Ecology
Climate, Environmental protection, Sustainability
We honour political work tackling the climate crisis and addressing issues such as energy, mobility, housing and food in accordance with the principles of sustainability.
Economy
Entrepreneurship, Labour Market, Finance
We honour innovative political projects that strengthen the economy. This includes urban and rural initiatives from the European to the local level which foster access to the job market and help entrepreneurs and businesses to succeed, to adapt to changing circumstances and to weather crises.
Education
Learning, Teaching, Empowerment
We honour political work that promotes education and facilitates life-long learning, including providing the knowledge and skills needed by resilient communities and individuals in an ever changing environment.
Human Rights
Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
We honour political work that upholds justice and dignity for all, regardless of nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, or any other status.
Quality of Life
Social Security, Wellbeing, Culture
We honour political work that ensures a decent standard of living for all members of a community, including modern health services, a safe living environment, and access to culture and the arts.
Covid-19 Strategies
Recovery, Resilience, Crisis Management
We honour outstanding political innovations which deal effectively with the COVID-19 crisis and its repercussions on our societies, as well as initiatives that make our communities more resilient against future crises.
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?
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
