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Craig Zelizer 3 weeks ago.
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European Social Innovation Competition
A €150,000 challenge prize by the European Commission for the three best ideas to support the reception and integration of refugees and migrants in Europe
Why are we doing this?
2016 Theme ‘Integrated Futures’
The EU has witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of refugees and migrants travelling to the continent, with more than a million new arrivals over the last year. This unprecedented inflow of people, many of whom are vulnerable individuals seeking international protection, presents a challenge across Europe not only in terms of their immediate reception, but also in terms of their longer term integration in society. Innovative and creative approaches are needed to build inclusive communities and realise the potential contribution of refugees and migrants. That’s why this year’s competition is focused on Integrated Futures.
What are we doing?
This year, the European Commission is looking for new ideas for products, technologies, services and models that can support the integration of refugees and migrants. Ideas can relate to any aspect of the reception and integration process including, but not limited to:
- Education and Skills Development
- Employment and Entrepreneurship
- Access to Appropriate Housing and Health Services
- Safety and Human Rights
- Community Cohesion and Cultural Diversity
The Competition is open to individuals, groups and organisations across the European Union and in countries participating in the European Horizon 2020 programme. Applications that are led by or have been co-created with refugees and migrants are particularly encouraged. The deadline for applications is Friday 8 April 2016 at 12:00 noon Central European Time.
The Competition will help the most innovative ideas turn into real projects and achieve sustainable impact. Thirty of the most promising applications will be chosen as semi-finalists and will be invited to a social innovation mentoring academy in Berlin in July to progress their ideas.
The three best solutions will each be awarded a prize of €50,000 at the awards ceremony to take place in Brussels in October 2016.
The background
This is the fourth year in which Nesta has worked as a delivery partner of the European Social Innovation Competition. Organised since 2012 in memory of Diogo Vasconcelos, the European Social Innovation Competition calls all Europeans to come up with solutions to the problems affecting our society. The Competition is run by the European Commission with the support of a consortium of partners including Nesta, Shipyard, Impact Hub, Kennisland and Matter and Co. Nesta’s Challenge Prize Centre has been lead partner in prize design and delivery since the Competition programme began in 2012.
Diogo Vasconcelos was a Portuguese leader who focused on fostering new ideas to address some of the great societal challenges of our time. During his career he worked closely with the European Commission and others on issues such as globalisation, sustainability and climate change, urbanisation, democratic participation, public services and healthcare. During his life, Diogo was chairman of the Social Innovation Exchange and also launched the Entrepreneurs Academy, among other accomplishments. He passed away in July 2011 at the age of 43.
Past competitions
The first European Social Innovation Competition 2012-2013
The second European Social Innovation Competition 2013-2014
The third European Social Innovation Competition 2015
– See more at: http://www.nesta.org.uk/project/european-social-innovation-competition#sthash.34BbQQKm.dpuf
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