Policy learning and practical solutions on impact investing for a functional social financing sector in the Danube region

Social entrepreneurship (SE) has become increasingly relevant in today’s economic setting as social changes have mounted (World Economic Forum, 2017), while at the same time, public funds in many countries are under pressure. The Danube region currently lags behind global trends in the field of SE and social impact investments (EVPA Annual Survey, 2016).

Statistics show that only 2% of global social impact investment (with a potential for growth of up to 450 billion EUR by 2019) is targeted towards the Danube region social enterprises, compared to 78% reaching Western Europe. Evidence shows that in the Danube region, there is lack of "blended" financial instruments which would complement non-repayable grants with new forms of finance (venture capital,equity,impact investments microcredit, and fundraising). In addition there is a lack of impact investors and policies to support the improvement of social impact investment markets.

Finance4SocialChange brings together a multi-disciplinary quadruple-helix partnership of 14 partners from 12 countries, 6 ASPs from across Europe to deliver improved policy learning, and develops practical solutions on impact investing to better shape the regulatory framework for the proper functioning of the social financing sector in the Danube region.Finance4SocialChange works towards creating the first "Social Impact Investment Strategy for the Danube region "by paving the way for promoting more social innovations and social impact investment ready social enterprises. The project delivers 130 hours of "blended" learning experiences through the ”Social Impact Investment Transnational Design Academy”, and launches the first "Business Plan Competition" warm-up 2-stage investment ready competition", funded through EUR 200,000 investment capital. A mentorship pool, the "Social Impact Investment Community Council" was established to provide mentoring to scaling up SEs,and will continue beyond the lifetime of the project by merging with GSEN (Global Social Entrepreneurship Network).

Project co-funded by European Union Funds (ERDF, IPA, ENI), total ZSI amount: 152.400€ out of which 85% are covered by the ERDF which amounts at: 129.540€

Mitarbeiter/innen:

• DI Martin Felix Gajdusek (Projektleitung)
• Mag. Helmut Gassler (on educational leave) (Projektleitung)

Bereich: Forschungspolitik & Entwicklung

Partner:

• ASHOKA hub in Austria
• Business Support centre Kranj
• Central European Initiative - Executive Secretariat
• EURADA Association Europeenne des Agences de Developpement
• Financing Agency for Social Entrepreneurship
• IDEA IN ACTION ASSOCIATION
• Institute of Market Problems and Economic-Ecological Researches of NASU
• Moldovan Ministry of Economy
• NESsT Foundation Romania
• Organization for Small and Medium Enterprise Sector Development
• Romanian Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding
• Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Sofia Development Association
• Steinbeis Innovations GmbH
• Union of Slovak Clusters
• University of Heidelberg - Centre for Social Investment
• UnLtd, The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs - GSEN Global Social Entrepreneurship Network
• IFKA Public Benefit Non-Profit Ltd. for the Development of the Industry (Coordinator)

Verwandte Artikel:

• Veranstaltung: Launch event for the Finance4SocialChange project
• News: Finance4SocialChange launched!
• News: EU-funded Interreg Project Finance for Social Change starts crucial phase
• News: Towards improving the social impact investment market in the Danube region
• News: Impact Finanzierungspilot im Finance4SocialChange Projekt
• News: Impact Finanzierungspilot im Finance4SocialChange Projekt - Pitching Session
• News: Local Policy Focus Group - Financing tools: Social Entrepreneurship Monitor

Tags: Danube Region, impact financing, social change, social entrepreneurship