Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is the European Union (EU)’s main instrument for investing in people.
Τhe ESF+ will continue to provide an important contribution to the EU’s employment, social, education and skills policies, including structural reforms in these areas.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The general objective of this Call for proposals is to promote inclusive entrepreneurship across the European Union by supporting incubation models and financing solutions that enable new and aspiring entrepreneurs from under-represented groups in entrepreneurship to start, sustain and scale viable business activities. Under this Call, incubation services include acceleration services.
Detailed Call Description
Proposals should address the following priorities, the fourth is however optional:
- Priority 1 — Inclusive Incubation Models
Development or adaptation of incubation programmes specifically designed to respond to the needs of under-represented entrepreneurs. This may include personalised mentoring, peer learning, skills development, coaching or ecosystem integration measures that address social or structural barriers to entrepreneurship. The focus should be placed on practical projects rather than on the development of theoretical tools or studies.
- Priority 2 — Better Access to Finance
Design and testing of financial support mechanisms facilitating access to funding for under-represented entrepreneurs. This may include inter-alia blended finance approaches, partnerships with microfinance providers, social investors or alternative funding mechanisms supporting early-stage business development.
- Priority 3 — Integrated Support Pathways
Creation, testing and implementation of integrated support pathways combining priority 1 and 2, i.e. incubation services with access to finance but also possibly with market opportunities and long-term business support. Attention should be given to continuity between early entrepreneurial support and sustainable business growth.
- Priority 4 — Fostering Ecosystem Cooperation
Strengthening cooperation among incubation actors, financial intermediaries, social economy organisations, and possibly as well with employment services, managing entities of local innovation ecosystems or research institutes.
The Call aims in particular to:
- Develop and test incubation approaches adapted to the specific needs of under-represented entrepreneurs.
- Improve access to finance by linking incubation services with financing organisations such as microfinance providers or social investment vehicles.
- Strengthen entrepreneurial capacities, skills development and business readiness among target groups facing barriers to entrepreneurship.
- Foster cooperation among incubation actors, financial intermediaries, social economy organisations, and possibly as well with employment services, managing entities of local innovation ecosystems or research institutes.
- Generate transferable knowledge, tools and practices that can be replicated or scaled across Member States.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
80%
Thematic Categories
- Economy-Finances
- Education and training
- Employment
- New Entrepreneurship
- Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
- Social Affairs & Human Rights
Eligibility for Participation
- Associations
- Businesses
- Financial Institutions
- Legal Entities
- Legal Entities under Public Law
- NGOs
- Non Profit Organisations
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Semi-governmental organisations
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- Training Centres
Eligibility For Participation Notes
In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:
- be legal entities (public or private bodies)
- be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
- EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
- non-EU countries:
- listed EEA countries and countries associated to the ESF+ (list of participating countries), or
- countries which are in ongoing negotiations for an association agreement and where the agreement enters into force before grant signature.
The lead applicant of the consortium must be one of the following types of organisations:
- a network of incubators (including business support organisations and similar organisations);
- a network of microfinance providers;
- a network of providers of finance for social enterprises.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
EU Contact Point
General questions on ESF+: EMPL-EaSI@ec.europa.eu
Call-specific questions: EMPL-SOCIAL-ENTERPRISE@ec.europa.eu