What it is
The European Capital of Innovation Awards, known as iCapital, are an EU prize for cities that, in the organiser’s words, are courageous enough to open their governance to experimentation and push the boundaries of technology for their citizens. The prize is supported by the European Innovation Council under Horizon Europe and managed by the executive agency EISMEA. Barcelona was the first European Capital of Innovation, in 2014; later winners include Amsterdam, Paris, Athens, Nantes, Leuven, Dortmund, Aix-Marseille Provence, Lisbon and Turin.
The 2026 title is held by Grenoble Alpes Métropole, with Aalborg as European Rising Innovative City.
How the title is awarded
There are two categories. The European Capital of Innovation is for cities of at least 250,000 inhabitants, or the city closest to that size in countries that have none; the winner receives EUR 1 million and two runners-up EUR 100,000 each. The European Rising Innovative City is for cities of 50,000 to 249,999 inhabitants, with EUR 500,000 for the winner and EUR 50,000 for each of two runners-up. Cities must be in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe associated country, and former winners cannot apply again.
Applications are judged on six criteria: experimenting, scaling, ecosystem building, expanding (acting as a model for other cities), the city’s long-term innovation vision, and the use of innovation to strengthen democracy and citizens’ rights. Winners and runners-up join the iCapital alumni network, according to the EIC prize page.
Where the 2027 title stands
The 12th edition was launched in Aalborg on 5 May 2026, and the call closed on 4 August. On 30 September EISMEA named twelve semi-finalists: Alicante, Madrid, Manchester, Montpellier, Tallinn and Valencia for the main title, and Galway, Kranj, Leiden, Oulu, Regensburg and Taranto for Rising Innovative City. Each city has a private remote hearing with the jury, which then picks three finalists per category. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Grenoble on 3 December 2026.
Why it matters for cities
The criteria judge how a city governs innovation, from public procurement and support for start-ups to cooperation with universities and citizens, rather than a single project. The prize also gives the winner EU-wide visibility and a place in the alumni network. Oulu, one of the 2027 semi-finalists, is also a 2026 European Capital of Culture.
Following the award
The 2027 results are due at the Grenoble ceremony on 3 December 2026. The call for the 2028 title has not been published. For reference, the 2027 call opened on 5 May and closed on 4 August, giving cities three months to apply.