New Europe 100: Challengers and innovators of Central and Eastern Europe

Res Publica together with Google and the Visegrad Fund, and in cooperation with Financial Times and dozens of institutions from the region, is launching the New Europe 100 project – a list of outstanding challengers who are leading world-class innovation from Central and Eastern Europe. New Europe 100 is published for the first time in October 2014.

“NE100 aims to raise the profile of innovation that is taking place in the region. In the aftermath of announcing the list (not a ranking) we will establish a network of challengers to enhance the voice of the future and promote the unique stories of #NE100 challengers. The aim is to identify 100 challengers that not only include obvious personalities and projects, but also yet unsung heroes,” says Wojciech Przybylski, editor-in-chief of Res Publica.

Since 1989, Central and Eastern Europe has become a place where big ideas are made possible. In the last 25 years, many countries – many of which are now new EU member states – have come a long way from political and economic oblivion to democracy and prosperity. This transformation has been led by outstanding people who have achieved the seemingly impossible. Now, we look to the next 25 years.

The New Europe 100 list is about individuals from Central and Eastern Europe who are changing the world and improving people’s lives with ideas that scale up in the digital world. It’s about those who, with their courage for innovation, new-tech expertise, unique skills, and social outreach, are having a global impact.

“This list is both about people and their big ideas. We will seek and bring together personalities whose actions drive them and drive us to a better future. They are people of diverse cultural and professional backgrounds from business innovators, political challengers, social entrepreneurs and cultural animators,” according to Res Publica.

The full list of New Europe 100 can be accessed here.