Valencia, finalist in the awards to be the European Capital of Innovation 2020

It is the only Spanish finalist city

• Missions València 2030 is the innovation strategy of Valencia City Council for the next decade.
• The winning city will receive the title of European Innovation Capital 2020, as well as 1,000,000 Euros to support its innovation activities and improve its capability to connect individuals, the public sector, academia and companies to provide social benefits for their communities.

5 August 2020.- The city of Valencia has been selected this morning as a finalist to become the European Capital of Innovation 2020 thanks to its strategy of innovation by missions for the next decade which includes Missions València 2030. This was presented last June by the Innovation and Knowledge Management Delegation of Valencia City Council and the municipal innovation centre Las Naves-Ajuntament València (EIT Climate-KIC partner).

Together with Valencia, 11 European cities have been selected, including Milan (Italy) and Leuven (Belgium) both also partners of EIT Climate-KIC, Reykjavik (Iceland), Vienna (Austria), Cluj-Napoca (Romania), Espoo (Finland), Ghent (Belgium), Groningen (Netherlands), Helsingborg (Sweden), Leeuwarden (Netherlands), and Linz (Austria).

A team from Valencia City Council, made up of technicians from the innovation service, the innovation centre Las Naves, València Activa (Valencia City Council Entrepreneurship), the Intelligent City Office and the European Projects Office, will have to defend their candidacy on 3 and 4 September before a jury. From all the cities there will be a winner who will receive the title of European Innovation Capital 2020, as well as 1,000,000 euros to support their innovation activities and improve their capability to connect individuals, the public sector, academia and companies to provide social benefits for their communities. In addition, the first five finalists will each receive 100,000 euros. The Commission will announce the winner and the finalists of European Innovation Capital 2020 at the European Research and Innovation Days from 22-24 September 2020.

Funded by Horizon 2020, the European Union’s research and innovation programme, the award recognises European cities that develop vibrant innovation ecosystems to address public challenges and improve people’s lives.

Carlos Galiana, Councillor for Innovation and Knowledge Management of Valencia City Council, highlighted “that the work and effort we are putting into the Missions València 2030 to achieve a healthier, more sustainable, shared and entrepreneurial city is seeing its first fruits. Our idea was to present ourselves this year and the next, which allows the call, in order to be finalists and eligible for the capital in 2021. Being a finalist this year shows that we can make Valencia a reference point for innovation at a European level if we align the resources of the City Council”.

Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth of the European Commission, has commented that “innovation is key for cities to guarantee a sustainable recovery after difficult times. When cities nurture innovation ecosystems for innovation stakeholders and citizens to come together and collaborate, they drive their development and resilience. The sixth edition of the European Capital of Innovation Award will become another strong competition and showcase the best innovative practices that are driving European cities forward”.

A high level jury of independent experts has selected the 12 finalists analysing how cities use innovative solutions to respond to social challenges, how they use such practices in the urban development process and how they involve local communities in decision-making.

At the same event where the winners will be announced, the Commission will award the EU Women’s Innovation Award 2020, the EIC Horizon Award for affordable high-tech in humanitarian aid, and the Horizon Impact Award 2020.

Innovation Festival EIT Climate-KIC, Valencia October 2014