European Investment Bank Institute – Discover the 15 best European Social Entrepreneurs
The Social Innovation Tournament recognises and supports the best European social entrepreneurs. It promotes innovative ideas and rewards initiatives that contribute to creating social, ethical or environmental impact. Typically, it covers projects in the areas of education, healthcare, the environment, circular economy, inclusion, job creation, ageing and many more.
All projects compete for the General Category and Special Category 1st and 2nd Prizes of €50 000 and €20 000 respectively. In 2020, the Special Category Prizes will go to projects focusing on the environment (with a special emphasis on biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. Two projects will be selected to attend INSEAD’s Social Entrepreneurship programme in Fontainebleau, France.
The prizes are awarded by a jury of specialists from the academic and business worlds.
The tournament runs in two rounds. A selection committee, comprised mainly of EIB Group experts in innovation, the environment, and other relevant disciplines, selects 15 finalists. The finalists participate in a tailor-made training programme (Mentoring Bootcamp, e-training on pitching, one-to-one coaching sessions) to provide them with the necessary guidance to finalise their proposals and prepare them for the final event where all the finalists have to present and defend their project to a jury of social innovation specialists.
This year’s Social Innovation Tournament will take place on 8 October, in Lisbon, Portugal.
Finalists from all SIT editions become members of the SIT Alumni Network. As members, they may benefit from numerous training opportunities such as (i) the Scaling Executive Programme, a full-time executive training course focused on scaling, pitching and engagement with investors, (ii) SITolarships, an innovation grants programme, and (iii) conferences around Europe and network with investors, venture philanthropists and foundations who can help their project to scale. Furthermore, to explore synergies and complementarities with the growing community of social entrepreneurs supported by the Institute through the SIT, the Institute is supporting the first social incubator in the North of Portugal.
Due to COVID-19 social distancing measures, there are few places available. Click on the following links to access the agenda and to register.
2020 Edition Finalists
If you can create impact you must. Fifteen finalists have been selected for the 2020 edition of the Social Innovation Tournament, the flagship initiative of the Institute’s Social Programme recognising and supporting Europe’s best social entrepreneurs.
The finalists, whose primary purpose is to generate a social, ethical or environmental impact, were selected from an outstanding group of 216 candidates in 31 countries, making the work of the EIB Group experts very challenging.
Over three days in June, the 15 high impact ventures, from 9 countries, will participate in a tailor-made training programme (mentoring bootcamp, e-training on pitching, one-to-one coaching sessions) to provide them with the necessary guidance to finalise their proposals. This will prepare them for the final event – taking place this year in Lisbon on 8 October – in which all the finalists will have to present and defend their project before a jury of social innovation specialists.
The jury, composed of specialists from the academic and business worlds, will award four prizes: General Category and Special Category 1st and 2nd Prizes of EUR 50 000 and EUR 20 000 respectively. This year, the Special Category Prizes will go to projects focusing on the environment (with a special emphasis on biodiversity and ecosystem conservation).
Finalists from all SIT editions become members of the SIT Alumni Network. As such, they are able to benefit from numerous training opportunities and an innovation grants programme, and attend conferences around Europe, networking with investors, venture philanthropists and foundations that can help them scale their impact.