about the project

FOSTERING
SOCIAL INNOVATION
IN EUROPE

The European Social Innovation Alliance (ESIA) is a network of 26 member organizations from Estonia, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. ESIA brings together a diverse range of actors—from civil society, the private and public sectors to academia—to improve the political and economic framework for social innovation across Europe. Through advocacy, public sensitization, capacity building, networking, and research, ESIA is committed to ensuring that social innovation is recognized as a vital tool for addressing today’s pressing social challenges and paving the way for a sustainable future.

In response to today’s social, economic and environmental challenges, social innovation can play a key role in helping prevent climate catastrophe, reduce poverty and advance social justice. It creates new or improved practices, tools and models, but to achieve real impact it must be driven as a collective process that brings together civil society as well as public, private and third sector organisations. This project builds on that understanding by bringing together the diverse expertise, tools and methodologies of ESIA members, sharing these complementary resources across countries, and strengthening awareness and capacity for social innovation at national level and across the EU.

strengthening awareness and capacity for social innovation
Visit the official ESIA website

project goals & Participants

In June 2024, FASE became part of the second phase of the European Social Innovation Alliance (ESIA II). One of the goals is to establish and enhance National Competence Centres (NCCs) for social innovation. Building on our role as a founding member of the National Competence Center for Social Innovation Germany (KoSI), we continue to shape an ecosystem where impact can thrive.

Following its first phase (2021–2023), ESIA has now entered its second phase running until 2027 to enhance the recognition of social innovation as a vital tool for addressing today’s pressing social challenges and paving the way for a sustainable future.

OUR OFFERING FOR IMPACT VENTURES

OUR SERVICES FOR iMPACT VENTURES

We help Impact Ventures in their scale-up phase to navigate through complex financing processes and connect them with the right impact investors – professionally, efficiently and through a strong network.

Impact Finance Clinics – Guidance for Your Investment Journey
Struggling with financing challenges? Our expert-led “Impact Finance Clinics” provide tailored, hands-on guidance in exclusive coaching sessions

Scale-up Support – Strategic Fundraising from Start to Finish
For selected European impact enterprises, FASE offers comprehensive financial consultancy throughout the entire fundraising process

Weblounges – Insights and Networking for Impact Entrepreneurs
Our virtual Weblounges connect European impact entrepreneurs from all sectors through interactive online seminars. Do you know our Impact Funding Sessions?

Discover our programme flyer

Ready to take the next step? Our questionnaire helps us understand you better. Fill it out now and kickstart your fundraising journey with us!

project coordinator fase

Bernhard Sommer
Executive Assistant to the Managing Directors
bsommer@fa-se.de

project funding

The European Social Innovation Alliance is a joint project of Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund Niedersachsen, Development Center of Võru County, Diakonie Deutschland, Diakonie Schleswig-Holstein, FASE, Good Deed Foundation (Heateo), CAOP, Ministry of Economics, Affairs & Communications Estonia, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Action Brandenburg, Ministry of Interior Estonia, Ministry of Labour Luxembourg, Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment Netherlands, National Foundation of Civil Society (KÜSK), SAP, Social Entrepreneurship Network Germany, Social Enterprise Estonia, Social Enterprise Netherlands, Social Innovation Lab Estonia, Tallinn University, TU Dortmund University, University of Tartu, University of Utrecht, University of Gelsenkirchen, University of Heidelberg, Wider Sense. The lead partner is Social Impact. The project is co-funded by the European Union as part of the ESF+ Social Innovation+ Initiative.