AALBORG: Aalborg has just been awarded the title of European Rising Innovative City 2026 by the EU Commission at this year's European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital) in Turin. The city is the first Danish city ever to receive the award, which rewards European cities for sustainable, digital and citizen-driven innovation.
The award is given to cities that manage to translate visions into concrete results through collaboration between business, knowledge institutions, public actors and citizens.
The jury particularly highlights Aalborg's transformation from an industrial metropolis to a European pioneer region for green transition, digital development and citizen-driven innovation. The title comes with 500,000 euros, which will be used to accelerate the city's green and digital innovation projects.
Mayor Lasse Frimand Jensen emphasizes that the award is an expression of Aalborg's role in the future of Europe:
- Aalborg Municipality was once known as the city with the smoking chimneys. Today, advanced production stands side by side with world-class research, a rich cultural life and green innovation and a strong foundation in social inclusion and children's rights, he says and continues:
- We unite craftsmanship and high technology, industry and creativity. Not as opposites, but as a strong community. Aalborg Municipality shows that cities can develop - without forgetting where they come from. That is our strength.
The award also gives Aalborg a stronger European voice through the iCapital Alumni Network - a community of cities that promotes innovation and sustainable development across borders.
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