Brussels, 03/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 3 September, the European Commission opened the competition aimed at selecting the first “European Capital of Innovation”, or “iCapital”, with €500,000 in the pot for the winner. An independent jury will announce the winner in spring 2014.
The Commission has set out four criteria that must be met in selecting the most innovative town or city in the EU and in the partner countries of the framework programme for research and innovation. The candidate towns or cities must be: “innovative” (in terms of concepts, processes and tools); “inspiring” (with the aim of attracting talent and funding); “integrated” (demonstrating links with the goals of the EUROPE 2020 strategy); and “interactive” (links with other cities). Any town or city with over 100,000 inhabitants is eligible but only initiatives running since at least 1 January 2010 will be taken into account. (JK/transl.jl)