Meet the Finalists of the 2026 European Capital of Innovation Awards

Supported by the European Innovation Council (EIC) under Horizon Europe, the iCapital Prize recognises cities that lead the way in leveraging innovation to build more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban environments. 

Following an intense selection process including interviews with twelve semi-finalist cities the finalists for 2026 have been chosen by a high-level jury composed of innovation leaders from academia, business and policy. 

In the Rising Innovative City category, the finalists competing for recognition are, in alphabetical order: Aalborg, Nicosia, and San Sebastian. These cities have made significant strides in harnessing innovation to transform their local environments, paving new pathways for growth and societal advancement.

In the European Capital of Innovation category, the finalists are, in alphabetical order: Grenoble Alpes Métropole, Liverpool, and Rotterdam. Each of these cities has shown exceptional dedication to building innovation-driven ecosystems, serving as models of sustainable and inclusive urban development across Europe.

The winners will be announced and celebrated at the iCapital Awards Ceremony in Turin, Italy, on 4 December 2025, held as part of the Cities Innovate Summit. Registrations for the event are now open. 

The European Capital of Innovation winner will receive a €1 million prize, with two runners-up awarded €100,000 each. In the European Rising Innovative City category, the winner will be granted €500,000, while the two runners-up will each receive €50,000.

All six finalists will also be invited to join the prestigious European Innovation Council Forum Working Group (EIC Prizes Alumni Network), a community of leading innovators committed to sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and advancing urban innovation across Europe.