HORIZON-EIC-2023-iCapitalPrize - The European Capital of Innovation Awards
EU Prizes: Application form (prizes) The European Capital of Innovation Awards: V1.0 – 08.03.2023
innovative challenge-based procurement initiative and was cofounded by Enterprise Ireland. The challenge aimed to find new, technological solutions to help individuals and groups engage with their local authority, focusing on young people, migrant groups, and others not traditionally reached with existing methods. Technology providers were invited to pitch ideas that would complement, rather than replace, traditional methods of engagement. Four companies worked to develop their solutions, testing and piloting with Fingal County Council and Cork City Council, As a result, a participatory grant portal called “Cork Voices “was developed. Using the portal, local community groups were invited to submit short video pitches for community funds. A wide range of exciting community projects pitched for funding including:
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Cork Nature Otter Walk
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Comhairle na nÓg Suicide Prevention Summer Event
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International Community Dynamics Direct Provision Workshops
Citizens were invited to vote on their favourite videos in June 2019.
With a total of over 2,000 votes, six organizations were successfully awarded grants of between €400– €750. These grants support community programmes that deliver positive outcomes for the people of Cork. The “Unheard Voices” challenge has been an important learning experience for Cork City Council. We have learned a lot about how technology can promote citizen engagement and reach communities that may experience exclusion. Award criterion 3, Ecosystem building – unlocking the city’s potential as local innovation ecosystem facilitator by fostering synergies among different innovation ecosystem players, from public, industry, startups, civil society, citizens to academia, to contribute to the development of an innovation ecosystem within the city. In this criterion, among others, the applicant should consider providing information about the role of the city on boosting the city’s innovation ecosystem: e.g., is the city a key actor in these interactions? The applicant is expected to provide details on concrete results of the showcased initiatives.
POLICY CONTEXT
Innovation is a key policy objective enshrined in national, regional, and local policy in Ireland and Cork. The National Planning Framework (NPF) is a national document that will guide high-level strategic planning and development over the next 20+ years and sets out several key strategic outcomes. This Plan sets the context for each of Ireland’s three regional assemblies to develop their Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES) taking account of and coordinating local authority county and city Development Plans in a manner that will ensure that national, regional, and local plans align. High among the strategic outcomes is No 5: A strong, Economy supported by Enterprise, Innovation and Skills and this policy cascaded through the regional and local development plans. The Southern Regional Assembly (of which Cork City is a part), has set out in their RSES their regional policies which include delivery of innovation through Smart specialization. This is where urban centres, where significant compact growth will occur to drive and diversify local economies, will enhance their competitiveness, and strengthen their economic growth by developing their local economic strengths. As stated, “to remain competitive, we need a relentless focus on innovation…” to achieve economic resilience. Cork City and its metropolitan region have significant strengths through its high level of FDI companies in key sectors such as Bio Pharma, ICT, Energy, and Internationally traded services along with its world- class research and innovation credentials with its two world-class universities, University College Cork and Munster Technological University. Cork City also boasts several research institutes which are well- positioned to grow and develop its smart specialisation assets. Cork City’s recently approved City Development Plan 2022- 2028 has a key high-level goal of achieving its reputation as an innovative city through supporting FDI along with indigenous entrepreneurship and innovation along with Research and Development.
Cork Innovation Forum
Driven by the development of this submission, it is Cork City Council's ambition to redevelop the Cork Innovation Forum to act as a collaborative engagement of partners seeking to increase the level of awareness locally, nationally, and internationally of innovative activities in enterprise creation in Cork. The Partnership will focus on
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Active and collaborative engagement across the community.
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