Alicante was the only Spanish city to be a semifinalist for the prestigious European recognition of European Capital of Innovation (iCapital) 2026, competing with major cities such as Grenoble, Liverpool, Riga, Rotterdam, and The Hague.
Our city stood out for its innovative, citizen-oriented vision and its ability to generate and mobilize a powerful innovative ecosystem through Alicante Futura and ALIA. This vision, framed within the Smart City 2.0 Plan, reflects Alicante’s firm commitment to digital transformation, innovation, and new technologies. The goal is to build a smart, connected, and sustainable city by implementing a strategy that promotes the use of ICT.
This municipal innovation strategy is supported under the umbrella of Alicante Futura and the city’s Urban Agenda, aligned with the national Urban Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Likewise, the restoration of the historical heritage of Las Cigarreras, the urban transformation of the Entre Castillos area, the Industrial Park Management and Modernization Entities, and the Smart City 2.0 Plan, recognized and awarded on several occasions, have been highlighted.
The Honorable Mayor of Alicante, Mr. Luís Barcala, highlighted the success of being the only national semifinalist and expressed his gratitude for the support and backing received from the local ecosystem.
Alicante has demonstrated a solid track record of active urban innovation, digitalization of the water cycle, smart mobility, energy sustainability, entrepreneurship, digital city strategies, and public-private collaboration.
In fact, in water management, Alicante is an international benchmark with prestigious projects such as La Marjal Park, the result of a solid public-private collaboration.
Elisa Díaz (Head of Employment and Development at Alicante City Council) coordinated the application along with Vicente Seguí (General Director of Employment, Business Development, and the New Economy at Alicante City Council). This recognition demonstrates that in our city, ideas are transformed into real projects that improve lives and address challenges as significant as water management. At the same time, both noted that the European Union has especially appreciated the significant industrial transformation of our city with such innovative and successful initiatives as the Industrial Park Management and Modernization Entities and their innovation agents, European benchmarks.
Being included in one of the six most innovative European cities is a great achievement that confirms that Alicante is on the right path toward innovation and progress.
