Call for proposals: Actions to boost the development of finance markets for social enterprises (ESF-2023-SUPPLY-DEMAND)
On 5 December 2023 the European Commission has published a new call for proposals "Actions to boost the development of finance markets for social enterprises (ESF-2023-SUPPLY-DEMAND)" under the ESF+.
Social enterprises are instrumental in the implementation of many of the European Pillar of Social Rights principles. In particular they play a key role in delivering the following European Pillar of Social Rights (‘EPSR’) principles: 3. Equal opportunities, 4. Active support to employment, 5. Secure and adaptable employment, 11. Childcare and support to children, 17. Inclusion of people with disabilities, 18. Long-term care and 20. Access to essential services.
The expected result of this call is the cooperation between public and / or private entities of any type with the aim to ease access to finance for social entrepreneurs and to develop the investment readiness of social enterprises to ensure social enterprises are able to take on repayable finance.
Scope of the call
The objective of the call is to contribute to the development of feasible, suitable and reliable schemes or funds providing finance to social enterprises as well as support structures providing business development services and networking facilities to improve social enterprises' investment readiness. The objective of the call is also to identify, develop, promote and disseminate good practices in supporting social enterprises in accessing finance.
Available budget: EUR 3 400 000 (indicative number of projects: 8-10)
Project budgets (maximum grant amount): expected to range between EUR 300 000 and EUR 400 000 per project. This does not however preclude the submission/selection of proposals requesting other amounts. The grant awarded may be lower than the amount requested.
Project duration: Projects should normally range between 24 and 36 months
Opening date: 5 December 2023
Deadline for applications: 14 March 2024 17:00:00 Brussels time
Info session: 26 January 2024, at 14:30-15:45 CET. Watch the recording here.
Indicative timeline:
Evaluation: April -August 2024
Information on evaluation results: September 2024
Grant Agreement signature: November 2024