Applications for European Social Innovation Competition 2018 open!

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

This year we are looking for ideas that will create long-term opportunities for young people by providing them with the means to succeed in today’s economy. These ideas should enable young people to acquire necessary work-related skills, secure fulfilling and financially rewarding jobs, and enhance their own social and economic prospects within their local communities. Applications are now open until 27 April 2018 (noon, Brussels time).

RE:THINK LOCAL:
The 2018 European Social Innovation Competition’s theme announced!

Don’t miss your opportunity to become a social innovator, access professional coaching, develop your network, and seize the chance to receive substantial funding for your idea.

The competition will award three €50.000 prizes for the most innovative products, services, business models or collaborations that empower young people to actively participate in an ever-changing economy. As part of the program, 30 semi-finalists will participate in a two-day summer academy offering tailored business development training, which will be taking place in Romania. Find out more here.

A full audience of social innovators, entrepreneurs and policy makers gathered today at Station F in Paris to mark the launch of this new edition of the Competition and to discuss the challenges and opportunities for social innovation in France and across Europe.

As underlined by Jean-Marc Guesné from Ashoka France on the value of social innovation; “Social Innovations tackle major societal issues and offer new ideas for systems-level change. Europe needs more social innovators and this competition is a great opportunity to support new ideas that will build the Europe of tomorrow.“ He urges people from all backgrounds to submit their ideas to the competition: “Developing your idea may feel daunting, but there is a big community of social innovators in Europe that you can join. Learn from their experiences and build your network through the opportunities offered by the competition.”