The European Social Innovation Competition (EUSIC) is a challenge prize run by the European Commission across all Horizon 2020 associated countries. The Competition calls all Europeans to come up with solutions to the problems affecting our society. This year’s competition was launched with an event in Ljubljana on 28 February.
The theme of 2019 competition is Challenging Plastic Waste, the European Commission is looking for ideas and projects that reduce plastic waste and littering through changing and improving existing processes or through introducing brand-new products and initiatives.
These innovations need to reduce the amount of plastic waste created or encourage and enable the greater re-use and recycling of plastic waste Solutions should be scalable and target change at the systemic level: either locally, nationally or Europe wide, and be rooted in one of the following areas:
- Reducing the consumption of single use plastic products
- Recycling reusing, and up-cycling existing plastic waste
- Dealing with accumulated plastic waste in landfills and the environment
- Changing consumer behaviors, retail and wider business practices to reduce levels of plastic waste and/or increase recycling and re-use
- Implementing alternative business models and optimizing supply chains to reduce plastic waste and/or increase recycling and re-use
- Introducing new materials fit for a circular economy or that offer sustainable alternatives to fossil-based plastics
Mark Nicklas, Head of Unit European Commission
The 2019 edition of the Competition was launched in Ljubljana, a sustainability pioneer, former European Green Capital and winner of the 2018 Sustainability category in the European Capital of Smart Tourism Awards. This zero waste city collects 68% of its waste separately (more than any other European capital). Furthermore, two recent winners of the Competition are from Slovenia, demonstrating a burgeoning social innovation ecosystem in the country.
Independent Judges will determine the three projects that will each be awarded €50,000 in October 2019. Applications are open until Thursday 4 April noon CET, for more details visit EUSIC.
