What was the European Social Innovation Competition 2019?
In 2019, the focus of the competition ‘ Challenging plastic waste’ sought the most innovative projects, products, services, business models and collaborations to tackle plastic waste. It was funded by the European Commission.
Why did we do this?
Every year, Europeans produce more than 30kg of plastic waste per person, but only 40% of this is recycled. We need new solutions for the design, production and use of plastics, as well as for the collection, sorting and recycling of plastic waste and sustainable alternatives to fossil-based plastics.
This challenge will reward the most innovative approaches to reducing plastic waste and improving re-use and recycling at a systemic level.
Impact of the Competition
- 88% of coaches agreed that the Competition provided effective solutions to the issue of plastic waste
- 28 out of the 30 semi-finalists included end-users in testing their solutions
- 61.5% of the semi-finalists agree the Competition allowed them to form new partnerships
- 7 of the semi-finalists attracted new investment or funding during the course of the Competition
- 62.5% of the semi-finalists attracted new funding or partnerships within one year of the competition
- 92% of the semi-finalists felt supported by being part of a peer-network of social innovators in Europe
- 80% of the semi-finalists agreed that the Competition gave exposure to their project
Impact Prize Winner
In 2019, an Impact Prize was also awarded to the 2018 semi-finalist able to demonstrate clear social impact: MTOP goes digital (Austria) MTOP goes digital, a social micro-enterprise that helps to prepare young, qualified refugees to enter the Austrian labour market using smart offline and online solutions. It also helps to maintain long term working relationships by providing post-placement support. By doing so, it also fosters international sign language education.