Applications are now open for the Mayor's Innovation Competition in Espoo

From 6 April to 24 May, companies from Espoo and employees of the City can submit their applications

The Mayor of Espoo Jukka Mäkelä announced that the Finnish city’s tenth innovation competition has begun. This year, in honour of its anniversary, the competition will be open not only to employees of the City and its partners but also to companies from Espoo. Applicants can register for the competition from 6 April until 24 May.

What is the Mayor’s Innovation Competition?

According to a press release by the municipality, this competition seeks to find innovative reforms and ideas that will contribute to the improvement of life in Espoo. Taking this further, it is particularly interested in reforms centred around the city’s residents and customers.

As such, the ultimate goal of the Mayor’s Innovation Competition is to showcase the continuous and innovative development work that is done in the city.

Themes, series, and prizes

This year, applications must be tailored to one of the two set themes: “Economically sustainable Espoo” and “From COVID to sustainable growth”. What is more, applicants will be able to submit reforms and ideas that are either completed or currently under development. Therefore, the competition will be split into two series:

• Innovation series: Applicants will have to detail ideas that have already been implemented and which have proven to be effective in solving challenges.
• Potential innovation series: Applicants will have to explain innovative plans that are currently in the development stage and have the potential to solve challenges.

The winners of the first and second series will be awarded with EUR 5,000 and EUR 3,000, respectively. In addition to this, honorary mentions from both series will also receive EUR 500.

It is important to note that the City of Espoo is organising this competition alongside Excellence Finland which will evaluate applications and select finalists. At the end, the City of Espoo will assess the applications of these finalists. Due to this collaboration, those who apply for the competition will also participate in Excellence Finland’s national Quality Innovation Award.

To apply for the Mayor’s Innovation Competition,  fill out the form provided by the municipality.