European Social Innovation Competition 2019

European Social Innovation Competition 2019

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.

This challenge was funded by

  • European Commission logo

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

Winners

A hand holding a phone and using it to scan barcodes

MIWA

MIWA (Czech Republic) designed an innovative, financially-sustainable circular distribution and sale system for food and non-food products with reusable packaging.

A blue spray bottle with orange writing on it saying 'spray safe'

SpraySafe

SpraySafe (Portugal) developed an edible spray used on the surface of foods to preserve them, reducing the need for plastic wrapping and containers.

A group of people stand outside in front of a large sign saying VEnvirotech

VEnvirotech

VEnvirotech (Spain) is a biotechnological start-up that transforms organic waste into biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastics using bacteria.

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.

The finalists

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

A whopping 543 ideas…

were submitted to the 2019 edition of the European Social Innovation Competition

Every year…

Europeans produce more than 30 kg of plastic waste per person, but only 40% of this is recycled

In 2021…

single-use plastic will be banned in Europe, including cutlery, straws and cotton buds

Who were the Challenge Judges?

Other editions of the Competition

What is the European Social Innovation Competition?

Launched in memory of social innovation pioneer Diogo Vasconcelos, the European Social Innovation Competition is a challenge prize run by the European Commission across all EU Member States and Horizon 2020 Associated Countries. Now in its 8th year, the Competition acts as a beacon for social innovators in Europe, employing a proven methodology for supporting early-stage ideas and facilitating a network of radical innovators shaping society for the better. Each year the Competition is based around a different issue facing Europe.