Press Release – 18 JUNI 2026
Europe’s Most Innovative Political Projects Announced as Finalists for The Innovation in Politics Awards 2026
The Innovation in Politics Awards are proud to reveal the finalists of this year’s edition. Selected from more than 300 submissions from 35 countries across the Council of Europe member states and Kosovo, a Citizens’ Jury of over 1,000 Europeans identified the most innovative initiatives across eight Award categories. The finalists will come together at the Awards Conference & Gala in Cascais on 30 October 2026, where the winners will be announced.
A defining thread running through this year’s finalists is the defence of democracy in its many forms. From a transparent digital system helping Ukrainians rebuild homes damaged by the war, to the world’s first women-only citizens’ assemblies in two Budapest districts, and a Norwegian city whose climate budget has helped cut emissions by 40 percent, this year’s finalists demonstrate how innovative political action can strengthen democracy, increase participation, and deliver tangible results for citizens. In the new Challenging Authoritarianism category, finalists confront polarisation head-on, bridging political and societal divides while working to safeguard institutions and uphold the rule of law.
Alongside established categories such as Climate Protection and Public Health & Ageing Society, this year three new categories were introduced: Challenging Authoritarianism, Strengthening Europe, and the Local Citizen Engagement – ELDA category. Their introduction reflects the growing importance of defending democratic values, countering authoritarian tendencies, and strengthening European cooperation in response to challenges that increasingly transcend national borders.
“The introduction of the Strengthening Europe category this year sends a clear message: the most innovative responses to today’s challenges are increasingly being built across borders. European cooperation is not only a value — it is a method,”
said Helfried Carl, Founder & CEO of the European Capital of Democracy.
Reinforcing this commitment to democratic participation, the Local Citizen Engagement – ELDA category this year has been developed in partnership with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.
“Partnering with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe on this category reflects a shared belief that meaningful participation at the local level is not a footnote to democracy — it is its foundation,”
said Miriam Hargašová, Programme Manager.
Many finalists show what genuine inclusion looks like in practice, giving older residents, young people with disabilities, rural communities, and those furthest from power a real and meaningful role in shaping their own futures. Others demonstrate how technology, when designed with people rather than just for them, can make public services more accessible, government more transparent, and civic life more engaging.
The 2026 Award Categories
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- Challenging Authoritarianism
- Climate Protection
- Democracy
- Digital Innovation & Governance
- Education
- Local Citizen Engagement – ELDA
- Public Health & Ageing Society
- Strengthening Europe
The full list of finalists is available at https://awards.innovationinpolitics.eu/best-practices-hub/
Finalists to be Honoured at the Awards Conference & Gala in Cascais
The Awards will culminate in The Innovation in Politics Awards Conference & Gala, taking place on 30 October 2026 in Cascais, the European Capital of Democracy 2026. This one-of-a-kind gathering brings together more than 500 political innovators, decision-makers, and changemakers from across Europe.
“The Innovation in Politics Awards are a flagship event of the European Capital of Democracy Year, spotlighting the people and projects tackling today’s challenges with innovative solutions. We look forward to welcoming and celebrating them in Cascais this October,”
said Helfried Carl, Founder & CEO of the European Capital of Democracy.
The Awards Conference & Gala provides a space for exchange, inspiration, and celebration – a place to share ideas, connect across sectors, and honour those working to transform politics and society for the better. The event concludes with a festive Gala where the winners in each of the eight categories will be revealed.
Register for the event here.
About The Innovation in Politics Awards
Since 2017, The Innovation in Politics Awards have recognised courageous and creative political projects across Europe, regardless of party or level of government. The Awards highlight initiatives, big and small, that bring real-world improvements through forward-thinking solutions.
Each year, a jury of over 1,000 citizens from across the Council of Europe member states and Kosovo selects the finalists and winners from hundreds of submissions. Beyond recognition, the Awards maintain a database of more than 2,000 best practices – the largest collection of its kind in Europe – promoting the exchange of tried-and-tested solutions across borders and party lines.
The Innovation in Politics Awards 2026 are organised by the European Capital of Democracy (ECoD) NPO and the Municipality of Cascais, the current European Capital of Democracy. For more details on the Awards, finalists, and the upcoming ceremony, visit awards.innovationinpolitics.eu.
For more details on the Awards, finalists, and the upcoming ceremony, visit: awards.innovationinpolitics.eu
Media Contact:
Fatima Kirsch
Head of Communications
fk@capitalofdemocracy.eu
+43 660 79 55 921