European Social Innovation Competition

Deadline: 2017-04-07
Award: €50,000

European societies are transforming rapidly due to technological change. Trends such as digitalisation and automation are changing the way we live and work faster than ever before, reshaping the labour market and wider economy in fundamental ways.

Digital businesses, creative industries, high tech manufacturing, and knowledge-intensive services are creating increasing value for the economy, driving and taking advantage of technological change. Low tech, labour-intensive manufacturing and routine jobs in the service sector are at high risk of disruption.

A gap is growing between these two sides: people with the skills and opportunities to take advantage of this transformation and those who do not. Rising income inequality reflects this trend; with increasing profits going to fewer beneficiaries, and being counterbalanced by wage stagnation or job cuts.

Social innovation can shape this future differently. Economic growth shouldn't only benefit the lucky few but provide opportunities for all.

The 2017 European Social Innovation Competition seeks to ‘reboot’ equality by inspiring fresh and energetic approaches to digital inclusion, connectivity, and skills development.

The competition is looking for inspiring ideas, large and small, from people all around Europe who believe in building a truly inclusive economy and making the most of skills and technologies to close the gap in our society.