The final event of the Social Innovation Tournament organized by the EIB Institute will take place in Budapest, Hungary − the country of one of the first 2012 winner. The call for innovative projects pursuing fight against social exclusion is open until 15 May 2013.

The Social Innovation Tournament is the flagship initiative of the Social Programme of the EIB Institute. It seeks to promote the generation of innovative ideas and identify/reward opportunities promising substantial societal benefits or demonstrating best practices with tangible, scalable outcomes. It targets the creation of social value in relation to the fight against social exclusion. It thus covers projects in a wide range of fields, from education and health care to natural or urban environment, through new technologies, new systems, and new processes. Improvements in these fields are critical to business success, and social innovation could have a substantial social impact. With the introduction of a Special Category Prize in 2013, additional emphasis will be given to urban and natural environment.  The Tournament applications must be sent to the EIB Institute and cannot be submitted later than 15 May 2013 (date of postmark and email).

The Social Innovation Tournament is organised by the European Investment Bank Institute which is part of the European Investment Group and promotes European initiatives for the common good. The first edition took place in Luxembourg in 2012. The Tournament is open to individuals or teams from (or residing in) the EU Member States, and the EFTA countries that submit proposals to be implemented in one or more such countries.

It is open to both not-for-profit and for-profit organisations, young entrepreneurs and social enterprises, corporate responsibility departments of private sector companies of any size, NGOs and government or local government entities and university communities

You will find details on the 2013 edition (rules for applicants, evaluation criteria, dates and deadlines, etc) on http://institute.eib.org/programmes/social/social-innovation-tournament/ and more information on the EIB Institute on http://institute.eib.org/

Contacts for submission of applications: Rosa Mendoza, universities@eib.org, tel +3524379-82755.

For further inquiries on the tournament and on the Social Programme: Luisa Ferreira, l.ferreira@eib.org , tel +3524379-88540.