15 finalists from eight countries have been selected for the 2022 Social Innovation Tournament, the flagship initiative of the Institute’s Social Programme recognising and supporting Europe’s best social entrepreneurs.

From innovative solutions to recycle photovoltaic waste or prevent plastic from reaching the ocean, the finalists aim to generate social, ethical or environmental impact. They are from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden, and were selected from an outstanding group of 200 candidates in 27 countries.

A tailor-made training programme (a mentoring bootcamp, an e-training session on pitching and one-to-one coaching sessions) will provide the 15 high impact ventures with the necessary guidance to finalise their proposals. This will prepare them for the pitching competition — taking place in Vienna on 29 September this year — in which they will present and defend their project before a jury of social innovation specialists from the academic and business worlds.

Five prizes will be awarded: General Category and Special Category 1st and 2nd Prizes of €75 000 and €30 000, respectively, and an Audience Choice Award of €10 000. This year, the Special Category Prizes will go to projects focusing on the blue and green economy.

Finalists from all SIT editions become members of the SIT Alumni Network. As such, they are able to benefit from numerous training opportunities and an innovation grants programme, and attend conferences around Europe, networking with investors, venture philanthropists and foundations that can help them scale their impact.