Open call for social innovators

Aims of the tool

Participation in the SI-Mission-Facility capacity-building activities is open to social innovators and social entrepreneurs from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. These activities are designed to inform, prepare and identify promising mission-relevant social innovations. Social innovators interested in the later competition will be invited to complete an expression of interest or apply once the competition call opens in 2027.

This programme is open to social innovators, social entrepreneurs and mission-driven organisations working on, supporting or exploring social innovation connected to one or more EU Missions.Whether you are an early idea or an established initiative, you are welcome at least for the first step of the programme. Consider the following steps (2 and 3) are addressing more advanced and scale ready innovations.

You should join if you are:

-a social innovator or social entrepreneur developing a solution with social, environmental, health or community impact;
-an NGO, association, CSOs, cooperative, social enterprise, for-profit businesses, public and semipublic care- or common-good-providers etc.
-an impact-driven business (a for-profit with a clear social or environmental purpose)
-a public or semi-public organisation working on mission-related challenges;
-an established initiative (piloted, tested, or running) preparing for future growth and scaling opportunities
-an early-stage initiative that wants to understand the EU Missions and explore its best fit.

To take part, you should:

-Be connected/ active/ interested/ curious in at least one of the five EU missions:
1.Adaptation to Climate Change (Climate Mission)
2.Cancer: working with Europe’s Beating Cancer plan (Cancer Mission)
3.Restore our Ocean and Waters (Water/Oceans Mission)
4.Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities (Cities Mission)
5.A Soil Deal for Europe (Soil Mission)

-legally established in:
an EU Member State, or
a Horizon Europe Associated Country

-SIs established outside these locations may be considered for the online program, only after the minimum participation threshold is reached and if capacity remains.
-Have a good working level of English, as all activities and materials will be delivered in English.
-Have access to basic computer facilities and a stable internet connection, including the ability to join live webinars via Zoom and use shared online collaboration tools.

Not sure which Mission fits your work? Register anyways!

Description of the tool

By participating in the program, you will be able to:

-Understand where your innovation fits within the EU missions context
-Learn how your work can contribute to one or more of the five EU Missions: Climate Adaptation, Cancer, Oceans and Waters, Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, and Soil, and Food Systems.
-Access and apply practical tools for scaling social innovation
-Use frameworks, reflection tools and guidance designed to help social innovators clarify their mission fit, scaling potential, impact logic, and support needs.
-Learn from mission-focused experts and ecosystem practitioners
-Take part in EU-wide and regional sessions with Impact Hub teams, mission-focused partners, support organisations and invited practitioners.
-Connect with a European community of social innovators
-Meet peers working on similar challenges across Europe, exchange experiences and identify opportunities for collaboration.
-Get better prepared for the future Scaling Competition

If you want to go further (a separate selection opens in 2027):
-Access tailored coaching to develop your scaling plan (*for 50 social innovators/entrepreneurs)
-Develop your scaling plan with expert coaching. 50 selected initiatives will receive support from a coach to build a credible plan for growth and investment.
-Gain visibility through online voting process (*for 30 SIs)
-Visibility through public voting. 30 selected initiatives are promoted in a public voting campaign.
-Join the in-person award ceremony in Italy
An award ceremony in Italy. Ten finalists are invited to the in-person ceremony and connected with funders, investors, and partners.

The toolkit is part of CRAFT project (https://craftaction.eu/). We invite you to discover our community and our policy recommendations as well.

Note: Clicking this link takes you to an independent third-party site outside of SALTO TC&RC’s control.

"Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them”