The prize for innovations created through the power of the crowd was awarded in three categories: Open.Innovation, Innovation.Funding and Corporate.Innovation. Numerous projects from Germany, Austria and Switzerland applied for the coveted trophies. Three per category were awarded prizes.
Crowdfunding enables communities to realize good ideas for community projects that cannot be implemented due to a lack of financial resources more quickly and easily through the support of the crowd.
Communities can promote and support these projects, while the idea creators are supported both mentally and financially by interested individuals.
The evaluations show that the project has a strong focus on crowd involvement in community and regional affairs, thereby engaging citizens in decision-making processes.
It is seen as a good example of how crowdfunding and crowdsourcing can be used to promote civic engagement. However, it is noted that more information on the environmental benefits and economic impact of the project would have been helpful.
The crowd powered innovation award is an initiative of the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) Crowd in Motion and the Fraunhofer-Zentrum für Internationales Management und Wissensökonomie (IMW) in Leipzig, Germany.
Impressions of the award ceremony and the isn celebrates 20 + 2 years event were captured in the highlight video of the event.