Sofia, Blagoevgrad and Gabrovo are finalists for the 2026 Innovation in Politics Awards. Helfried Carl, founder and chief executive of the European Capital of Democracy initiative, named them in Burgas at the first National Forum for Urban Ideas, "Gradolyubiteli".

Political projects and initiatives from Council of Europe member states compete for the awards. This year's finalists were chosen from more than 300 entries from 35 countries.

In the "Digital Innovation and Governance" category, the finalists are Sofia with its "Sofia Decides" platform and Blagoevgrad with "SignalIn". Gabrovo is a finalist in the "Democracy" category with its "Youth Centre – Gabrovo" project.

Winners in each category will be announced on 30 October at a ceremony in Cascais, Portugal, the current European Capital of Democracy. Carl said some of the winning initiatives are linked to national politicians and institutions.

"Over the past five years, these political innovations very often come from cities, from citizens," Carl said. He said many new ideas in politics start at local level, when people and local authorities work together. People feel the effects of political decisions most directly in cities, so Carl suggests learning more from them.

Carl said democracy is losing ground around the world on a number of measures, above all freedom of expression and media freedom. This is why, he said, people should look for democratic practices that work at local level.

In Burgas, Carl also presented the European Capital of Democracy programme. Applications for 2028 are open until November 2026, and cities with more than 100,000 residents can take part. Candidates must have a vision.

"They must show three projects they are already running with citizens, and say what three more projects they will do," Carl said. He said real action to involve people is needed, not just good intentions.

Experts will first assess the applications, and up to three cities will reach the final. A European citizens' jury will pick the winner.