European Capital of Innovation

Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, won the 3rd place at the annual European Capital of Innovation Awards 2021. The city joined other finalists in The European Capital of Innovation category: Dortmund, Dublin, and Malaga. 

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Vilnius’ application to the awards included several key projects implemented last year: city’s digitization policy “Vilnius 2IN,” experimental cybersecurity initiative “Hack Me If You Can”, “Intelligent Energy Lab” initiative, and other innovation development projects. The city also developed three data policies—Internet of Things, Data, and Open Data—which allowed it to carry out other innovative projects. It set the ground for the creation of three comprehensive digital maps of the city for the underground, city level, and air space.    

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Moreover, the city has been actively exploiting cutting edge technology such as drones since 2020. Special air routes have been mapped and an operational centre has been established to use drones for the benefit of the citizens, for instance, to observe public spaces and carry light-weight items during the pandemic.