Liverpool has been named a top three finalist in the 2026 European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital), marking another major milestone for the city’s global reputation as a hub of creativity and progress.
Run by the European Commission and supported by the European Innovation Council under Horizon Europe, the iCapital Awards celebrate cities that are leading the way in using innovation to build more sustainable, inclusive and resilient communities.
Following a rigorous selection process that included interviews with six semi-finalist cities, a panel of innovation leaders from academia, business and policy named Liverpool as one of the finalists, a historic moment, as no UK city has ever won the award.
Liverpool’s bid, titled LIFE – Liverpool Innovates for Everyone, showcases the city’s journey since being crowned European Capital of Culture in 2008. It highlights how Liverpool and the wider city region have harnessed culture and innovation to inspire young people, empower communities and improve lives through inclusive innovation.
Recognised for its transformational approach to urban development, Liverpool impressed judges with its ability to combine cultural regeneration and technological advancement. The city has used its proud heritage as a platform for forward-looking change, shaping a strategy that places people and inclusion at its heart.
By championing collaboration between the arts, technology and social sectors, Liverpool has turned its cultural and historical strengths into engines of economic growth and creativity. This people-first approach has positioned the city as a model for inclusive innovation and sustainable progress.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:
“I’ve been telling everyone that will listen in government that we are an innovation powerhouse, so I’m delighted Liverpool has been shortlisted to be the European Capital of Innovation. It’s a powerful recognition of the incredible progress we’ve made – and the bold ambitions we have for the future.
“Innovation isn’t just something we do – it’s who we are. From world-first breakthroughs in science and medicine to our pioneering Innovation Zone, we’re proving that when you invest in people, places and ideas, you can create something truly transformative.
“As we look to the future, we want to cement our place as the go to city region for AI, advanced manufacturing and life sciences.
“This shortlisting is a testament to the creativity, resilience and talent of our people – and a signal to the world that the Liverpool City Region is leading the way.”
Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said:
“This is fantastic news for our city and reflects our growing reputation for driving innovation.
“We are renowned for the way we innovate in delivering mass events of global significance, how we deliver our public services and ensure opportunities are accessible to all people regardless of their background.
“Becoming European Capital of Innovation would reinforce our status as a beacon of best practice and give us further opportunity to both share our knowledge, and also learn from others.”
Colin Sinclair, CEO of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) and Sciontec Developments Limited (Sciontec), said:
“We are so proud that Liverpool has been recognised on the international stage for its commitment to inclusive innovation. KQ Liverpool is home to many of the city’s key leaders in innovation and we are proud to have played our part in the wider efforts of Team Liverpool to reach this stage.
“We look forward to working together to hopefully bring this title home and use it as a springboard for inspiring the next generation, for job creation and for economic growth.“
Joining Liverpool in the top three are Grenoble Alpes Métropole and Rotterdam, a previous finalist. The jury praised all three cities for their outstanding commitment to innovation-driven growth and their contribution to building thriving, future-ready urban ecosystems.
All finalists will join the iCapital Alumni Network, a community of previous finalists and winners recognised for their innovation excellence.
The winners will be announced at the iCapital Awards ceremony in Turin, Italy, on 4 December 2025, during the Cities Innovate Summit.
Since its launch, the iCapital Awards have honoured cities that bridge citizens, academia, businesses and public institutions to deliver real change. Previous winners include Barcelona (2014), Amsterdam (2016), Paris (2017), Athens (2018), Nantes (2019), Leuven (2020), Dortmund (2021), Aix-Marseille Provence Metropole (2022), Lisbon (2023) and Turin (2024–2025).
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