The European Social Innovation Competition (EUSIC) has supported social innovators across Europe and runs since 2013. It employs a proven methodology to support early-stage ideas and has created a network of innovators who shape European society for the better.
Are you a social entrepreneur seeking EU funding to kickstart your social business idea? Then, EUSIC and its funding toolkit may be the solution for all your entrepreneurial needs.
Let's have a closer look at the Competition's details and what the funding toolkit has in store for all social entrepreneurs.
The man behind the European Social Innovation Competition
First, it is essential to mention that the EUSIC competition is dedicated to Diogo Vasconcelos, following his sudden death in 2011. Diogo was an entrepreneur and thought leader with a Portuguese origin, having worked with various European Governments and European or international organizations on his favourite topic, innovation.
He was a pioneer of social innovation in the sense that he tried hard to break the traditional view of innovation as something solely taking place in laboratories. He believed that innovation can take place anywhere and by anyone and that "the only barrier should be talent and imagination".
His visionary mind inspired the European Social Innovation Competition.
The EUSIC theme for 2021 - Skills for tomorrow - Shaping a green and digital future
EUSIC has been running every year since 2013 and has been a beacon for social innovators across Europe. The focus of the Competition is changing every year. The previous editions of the Competition were:
- 2020 - Reimagine Fashion
- 2019 - Challenging plastic waste
- 2018 - Re:Think local
- 2017 - Equality rebooted
- 2016 - Integrated futures
- 2015 - New ways to grow
- 2014 - The job challenge
- 2013 - New forms of work
For 2021, the European Social Innovation Competition theme is "Skills for tomorrow – Shaping a green and digital future". This theme reflects the transition towards a greener and digitally enhanced future that has already started and will gain further momentum in the future.
This twin transition creates exciting opportunities for individuals, businesses and industries. But to take advantage of these new opportunities, we need first to understand the skills required and how to develop them.
The Competition was launched on April 8th, 2021 and awards €50.000 prizes to the best scalable social innovations that can contribute to job creation, growth and EU competitiveness. This will be done by identifying, developing, and strengthening those skills required to power the green and digital future of the European Economy.
The transition to both futures will require a significant effort to reskilling and upskilling European workers. Social innovation is an excellent way to achieve this.
The European Social Innovation Competition Funding Toolkit
Today, entrepreneurs have way more possibilities to have access to access to capital to finance their business ideas than they had in the past. Particularly Europe offers a wide range of EU funding opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs and social innovators.
But apart from the invaluable funding, entrepreneurs can find other important tools to help them in their entrepreneurial journey. As part of EUSIC and with the support of the European Innovation Council (EIC), you can find the Funding Toolkit for Early-Stage Innovators (2021 edition). It is one of the Competition's main publications and other support actions provided to social innovators. However, the information and guidance provided in this toolkit can be valuable beyond the European Social Innovation Competition.
The Funding Toolkit accompanies the EUSIC participants from start to finish of their entrepreneurial journey. As the Competition is dedicated to early-stage social innovators, this is a helpful guide throughout the process of social innovation. From the first phase of idea development to the last step when they are ripe and ready to enter the market.
According to the European Commission:
"Social innovation means developing new ideas, services and models to address social issues better. It invites input from public and private actors, including civil society, to improve social services."
This Funding Toolkit for Early-Stage Social Innovators provides valuable support to finding the necessary funding while it also serves as a guide for all your entrepreneurial and financial adventures.
EUcalls – Your ally in finding Calls for EU competitions and access EU funding
EUcalls is a powerful tool at the hands of those who seek EU funding for their businesses or project ideas. With a directory of hundreds of EU calls for proposals on anything related to EU funding and from all European programmes, there is undoubtedly one tailored to your specific needs.
From finding awards and competitions to calls for Environment and Climate Action, EUcalls can help you with all your needs. By joining EUcalls, you will never miss important EU funding opportunities again, and you will have access to thousands of reliable EU project partners to create your consortium.
By taking advantage of everything EUcalls has on offer, you can achieve more and have a bigger impact in supporting the EU priorities and missions.
