Yesterday at the Web Summit in Lisbon, Turin was named the European Capital of Innovation (iCapital). The award was presented to Mayor Stefano Lo Russo on the main stage by the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Iliana Ivanova.

Through iCapital, the European Union honors cities with inclusive innovation ecosystems. Now in its tenth edition, the award recognizes cities that successfully connect citizens with academia, the private sector, and public institutions to improve the well-being of society, while simultaneously promoting revolutionary innovation.

These cities have adopted measures to reshape their communities by integrating innovation into the fabric of daily life, from pioneering sustainability initiatives to promoting inclusive digital transformation. These innovative cities not only transform their urban landscapes, but also serve as models for others, demonstrating how innovation can be a tool for systemic change and social progress.

Turin – chosen over Espoo (Finland) and the West Midlands (UK) in the ‘European Capital of Innovation‘ category – will also receive 1 million euros. In the ‘Emerging Innovative City’ category, the winner was Braga (Portugal), followed by Linz (Austria) and Oulu (Finland).

We are proud of Turin’s victory, which, thanks to its dynamic, inclusive, and collaboration-driven ecosystem, has enabled the development of cutting-edge and innovative solutions. Initiatives like Torino City Lab have allowed for the testing of urban technologies in real-world settings, addressing challenges related to smart mobility, smart living, the environment, sustainability, space economy, and much more. Turin has also worked in synergy with Torino Social Impact to strengthen the local system and position the city as one of the best places in the world to do business.

Read the news here.