Awards Categories & Process
Recognising Best Practice in Government and Civil Society
The Innovation in Politics Awards Categories
Discover the categories of the Awards, each highlighting a specific area of impact, from enhancing democratic engagement to advancing sustainability. Click on each category to learn more about its focus and explore examples from previous finalists and winners.
Please note that categories may change each year to reflect evolving challenges and trends, so not all categories may have past examples.
Democracy
Focus on strengthening democracy by enabling new and effective forms of engagement and citizen participation in political decision-making.
Climate Protection
Focus on sustainable practices, energy efficiency, and strategies to address climate change.
Circular Economy
Focus on promoting sustainable practices through efficient use of resources, waste reduction, and regenerative economic models.
Democracy Technologies
Focus on utilising digital tools and technologies to improve and secure democratic processes, including online participation, data privacy, as well as digital platforms for civic engagement.
Local Development
Focus on improving local and regional communities and economies.
Education
Focus on innovative educational practices and strategies that enhance learning environments.
Social Cohesion & Integration
Focus on promoting inclusivity, reducing social disparities, empowering immigrants, and fostering community solidarity.
Public Health & Ageing Society
Focus on public health, care, and the challenges of an ageing population.
How it Works:
Explore the process behind the Awards, from the initial submissions to the final celebration of winners. Here’s how projects are evaluated, selected, and honoured.
NOVEMBER 2025 - MARCH 2026
Call for Submissions & Nominations :
Direct Submission: If you have implemented a project, you can submit it directly through our website by filling out the submission form. Eligible submissions must meet the formal criteria and be provided in English or with an English translation.
Nomination: Anyone can nominate a project they believe is innovative and impactful. If the project meets the formal criteria, The Innovation in Politics Awards team will contact the project owner to invite them to complete the submission process.
MARCH 2026
Submission Deadline:
All projects must be submitted by the specified deadline. Please ensure your submission is complete and meets all the necessary criteria.
APRIL 2026
Initial Check of Formal Criteria:
After submission, each project description is reviewed to ensure it is complete, meets the formal criteria, and is ready for the jury process.
27 APRIL - 15 MAY 2026
Jury Evaluation:
A Citizens' Jury, comprising 1,000 jurors from across Europe, evaluates the projects, focusing on two key criteria: innovation and impact.
JUNE 2026
Announcement of Finalists:
The top 10 highest-scoring projects in each category are selected as finalists. These finalists are notified and featured on our website.
OCTOBER 2026
Awards Ceremony:
Finalists are invited to the Awards Conference and Gala, hosted in Cascais, Portugal, the European Capital of Democracy 2026. The event features the Politics, Coffee & Cake exchange conference, with round-table discussions on outstanding finalist projects and innovative political solutions, followed by the Gala ceremony where the winners are announced and celebrated.