Turin European capital of innovation 2024-25

Brussels – A unique example of urban innovation, capable of looking to the future without giving up the past. An entrepreneurial and experimental laboratory for next-generation solutions and an increasingly cutting-edge university network. All without neglecting sustainability. Welcome to Turin, European Capital of Innovation 2024-2025. The European Commission has no doubts: the Piedmontese capital and first capital of the Kingdom of Italy is, to all intents and purposes, a unique example, a flagship for the country and the entire EU. Hence, the decision of the award. There is the conferment of the title, of course, but also a million euro prize to continue supporting what has been done so far.

Turin is seen first and foremost as a model of urban innovation. The city, read the motivations to award the prize, has reinvented itself into a vibrant technological, social and environmental innovation laboratory in recent decades. This evolution has been propelled by an open innovation strategy and the city’s proactive approach to current and future urban challenges, from climate resilience to housing, urban mobility, and talent retention.

Then there is innovation as such. “Torino boasts an ever-expanding innovation ecosystem,” involving more than 600 players from public institutions, research institutes, companies (including startups), and nonprofits. This collaborative network and its agile governance have been nurtured through two key platforms— initiatives led by the City of Turin—Torino City Lab (TCL) and Torino Social Impact (TSI), which work in synergy to address contemporary urban challenges.

Moreover, the university fabric is rewarded. Torino Academia has played “an important role in positioning Torino as a place to be for urban innovation,” the European Commission says. With its top universities and research centres, such as the Politecnico di Torino and the University of Turin, the ESCP Business School and the LINKS Foundation, Turin has been ranked among the top 35 global ecosystems for recruiting technology talent.

“I warmly congratulate Turin on winning the 2024-25 European Capital of Innovation award,” said Iliana Ivanova, commissioner for innovation, research, culture, education and youth. The award “demonstrates that innovation is not only about technology, but also about creating opportunities, promoting inclusion, and improving citizens’ quality of life.”