Through the first SIMF Social Investment Lab and the European Funders & Investors Roundtable, the Social Innovation Mission Facility (SIMF) advanced the discussion on how to mobilise funding, strengthen partnerships and develop new financing approaches for social innovation across Europe.
As coordinator of the Horizon Europe-funded SIMF project, the Centre for Social Innovation (ZSI) is working with its European consortium partners to strengthen the role of social innovation in achieving the objectives of the five EU Missions. A key part of this work is connecting social innovators with public and private funders and investors, and exploring financing mechanisms that enable promising initiatives to grow and scale.
From exploring financing models to building strategic partnerships
The first Social Investment Lab, held on 15–16 October, coordinated by EdelGive/SIX and hosted by Portugal Social Innovation, brought together around 30 selected participants for two days of intensive exchange and co-creation. The focus was on the often-overlooked space between traditional grant funding and impact investment, where many social innovations struggle to access the resources needed to develop and scale.
Participants explored existing financing models, identified persistent funding gaps and worked on potential financing structures in the context of the EU Missions. The discussions highlighted the importance of combining different sources of capital, aligning financial and societal objectives, and translating between the perspectives of investors, philanthropists, policymakers and social innovators.
The conversation continued on 16 October at the European Funders & Investors Roundtable
coordinated by Portugal Social Innovation and EdelGive/SIX.
The high-level gathering brought together European and national stakeholders to discuss how Europe can strengthen its financing architecture for mission-oriented social innovation. Wolfgang Haider, SIMF Coordinator at ZSI, presented the project’s vision for unlocking the potential of social innovation in the EU Missions. Contributions from the European Commission and representatives of the Portuguese social innovation ecosystem complemented the discussion.
Across both events, three priorities emerged:
Connecting policy ambitions with financing mechanisms: Aligning the objectives of the EU Missions with the financing needs and realities of social innovators.
Mobilising diverse sources of capital: Exploring catalytic capital, blended finance and stronger collaboration between public, private and philanthropic funding.
Strengthening cross-sector collaboration: Building connections between investors, funders, policymakers and social innovators to identify opportunities and develop solutions together.
The discussions in Lisbon represent an important step in SIMF’s ongoing work to establish a European community of funders and investors committed to supporting social innovation. They also provide valuable insights for the project’s next activities, including further Social Investment Labs and the development of financing frameworks that can help social innovations contribute to Europe’s most pressing societal challenges.
About the Social Innovation Mission Facility (SIMF)
The Social Innovation Mission Facility is a Horizon Europe-funded project (2025–2029), coordinated by the Centre for Social Innovation (ZSI) in Vienna and implemented by a consortium of ten partners from across Europe. SIMF aims to unlock the potential of social innovation to contribute to the five EU Missions by connecting social innovators, funders, investors and research and innovation policymakers.
More information: www.simissionfacility.eu
