Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Tech
Barcelona
Brussels
Espoo
Europe
European Commission
Grenoble
Groningen
iCapital
innovation
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
Malaga
Paris
public administrations
Monday, 27 January 2014 - 11:47
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Groningen fighting for EU Innovation Capital title

Groningen is one of six cities shortlisted for the first European Capital of Innovation, or iCapital, awards. Groningen. Source: Wikimedia Commons/Bert Kaufmann The city will compete with Barcelona, Espoo, Grenoble, Malaga and Paris for the title and a grand prize of €500,000. The award will go to the city that best demonstrates an "innovation ecosystem," connecting citizens, public organizations, academia, and business. The iCapital Award was initiated as a stimulus for innovation in European cities, with the idea to create a network of cities that can work together on ideas for the future. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, said, "The response to this competition was impressive, with 58 European cities applying. This demonstrates that there is real interest among European public administrations to boost innovation and modernize and improve services for citizens. "At the end of the day there can only be one winner but we can all learn from each other by sharing our best ideas." According to a press release, Groningen made the list due to the city's "use of new concepts, tools and processes to develop a user-centered smart energy ecosystem." Groningen profiles itself as a "smart energy city," because the Energy and ICT sectors are strongly represented in the Groningen economy. The city is already taking part in smart energy projects such as "PowerMatchingCity" and "1000 Slimme Huishoudens" (or, "1,000 Smart Households"). Let's hope that the city's motto, "Er gaat niets boven Groningen," there's nothing above Groningen, will ring true when the winner of the iCapital Award is announced at the Innovation Convention 2014, which will take place in Brussels on 10 and 11 March.

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Netherlands named 8th least corrupt nation in annual review, but issues remain
  • Dutch human rights institute critical of “disproportionate” arrest of climate protesters
  • Teens in custody for Hague snack bar owner's murder previously involved in stabbings
  • Dutch Eurovision singer Heddy Lester dies at age 72
  • Utrecht civil servants begin weeklong strike
  • Princess Beatrix, the former queen, celebrate her 85th birthday

Top stories

  • Dutch human rights institute critical of “disproportionate” arrest of climate protesters
  • Regions outside Randstad against limiting international students
  • Rutte, Macron and Biden not yet ready to give Ukraine F-16 jets
  • Housing construction at highest level in decade; Still 26% below gov't target
  • Threats prompt the Netherlands to close its Istanbul consulate to the public
  • Pro-Russian hackers Killnet behind Groningen hospital cyberattack

© 2012-2023, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content