Lorraine Williamson
In little more than a decade, Alicante has shifted from being known primarily as a Mediterranean tourist destination to positioning itself as one of Europe’s most dynamic testbeds for innovation.
That transformation has now earned the city a coveted place in the semifinals of the European Innovation Capital Awards 2026, an EU contest recognising bold strategies that marry technology, sustainability, and citizen participation.
Alicante Futura at the core
The foundations of Alicante’s candidacy are rooted in Alicante Futura, a long-term programme designed to foster digitalisation, entrepreneurship, and green growth. Unlike many European rivals, where projects can become mired in bureaucracy, Alicante’s relatively compact size has allowed it to move fast. Decisions taken at city hall quickly find their way into neighbourhoods, with new technologies visible on the streets and in the daily lives of residents.
Smart solutions shaping daily life
One emblematic example is the city’s embrace of artificial intelligence in public administration. Complaints and service requests are no longer shuffled between departments; instead, AI tools ensure they are sent directly to the right office, reducing waiting times. In deprived areas where internet access is limited, digital kiosks have been installed so residents can still book appointments or request documents, ensuring no one is left behind in the digital transition.
Elsewhere, collaborations with local firms have produced smart charging systems for electric cars, while start-ups have trialled sensor-fitted waste bins that alert collection teams when they are full. At the University of Alicante, researchers are working with the council to model household water consumption, part of a wider effort to make resource management more efficient in a region where drought is a growing concern.
Partnerships powering progress
Such projects are not happening in isolation. The ALIA investment agency has been central to attracting funding and encouraging young companies to take root in the city. Partnerships with institutions such as Aguas de Alicante, Ciudad de la Luz, and the EUIPO reinforce this ecosystem, extending Alicante’s influence well beyond Spain’s borders. Together, these networks create a fertile environment for experimentation, from clean energy schemes to AI-driven municipal services.
Competing against European heavyweights
Alicante faces formidable competition in the European arena. Cities like Rotterdam, The Hague, Liverpool, Grenoble, and Riga bring heavyweight universities and established research institutions to their bids. Yet Alicante’s pitch rests on something different: agility. Where larger metropolises often struggle with red tape, Alicante’s size allows it to trial innovations quickly, turning ideas into tangible improvements at street level.
Building a culture of innovation
The city has also cultivated a culture of innovation that extends beyond government offices. Initiatives such as Futura Lab, which trains young people and professionals in digital skills, and the annual Futura Summit, which brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, ensure that innovation is woven into the fabric of civic life. Recent projects have ranged from solar panels on municipal buildings to virtual assistants guiding citizens through administrative processes.
Eyes on the December decision
For the city council, reaching the semifinals is already a landmark moment, a recognition of years of work to reposition Alicante as more than a coastal destination. But the ambition is clear: to win the title in December and cement its status as a European leader in smart, sustainable urban innovation.
Source: Alicante.es