The European Commission has announced today the three finalist projects of the European Social Innovation Competition 2024, focusing on fostering digital democracy through innovative social innovation tools. These projects aim to address challenges such as disinformation, promote inclusive democratic practices, and empower grassroots communities to participate digitally. The finalists were selected by a panel of experts, highlighting their innovative approaches and potential to make a significant impact.
The finalists are as follows:
-
"Cultivating Civic Habits" by Sablietribas Fonds in Latvia focuses on enhancing civic competencies among young people aged 14-18. The project offers an engaging app that provides daily civic activities based on real-life scenarios, designed to empower young people to make informed public decisions as responsible citizens in a diverse and democratic society.
-
"Live Agora" by the荷兰-based Stichting TAAT aims to create a digital platform for user-led collaboration and co-creation, embracing a decentralized, community-owned model. This initiative ensures users maintain complete control over their data and interactions, promoting an innovative approach to digital democracy.
- "The Newsroom" by Título Alternativo LDA in Portugal is designed to tackle disinformation, connect democratic actors, and empowerment civil society through innovative and inclusive technology.
The winners of the competition, along with the second and third runners-up, will receive prizes totaling €130,000 and €80,000 respectively. The winners will join the Network of Social Entrepreneurs and Innovators (NESEI) Group, a European Innovation Council (EIC) Community platform. This platform provides access to matchmaking events, training, bootcamps, workshops, and the broader European innovation ecosystem.
The European Social Innovation Competition is part of Horizon Europe’s program, aiming to identify and celebrate innovative ideas in social innovation. The finalists’ work aligns with these principles, focusing on bridging the gap between digital technology and democratic governance.
The winners will attend the European Social Innovation Forum Annual Event (NeSEI), showcasing their projects and restarting the competition. This event is set to kick off on 11 March 2025 in Brussels, providing a platform for fostering innovation and collaboration among social innovators and stakeholders.
In conclusion, the finalists and winners of the 2024 European Social Innovation Competition are making significant contributions to digital democracy and democratic practices. Their projects, supported by Horizon Europe and the EIC Community, will continue to inspire innovation and emphasize the role of technology in shaping inclusive and equitable societies.