Value proposition

A pioneering government initiative allocating ESF+ to foster social innovation and social investment.

Portugal Social Innovation is a government initiative established in 2014 to facilitate social innovation and social entrepreneurship initiatives and to stimulate the social investment market. This initiative was the first of its kind in Europe, as Portugal was the only Member State to allocate EU funds (initially amounting to around EUR 150 million) to experiment with new financing instruments specifically designed to foster both social innovation and social investment.

With the active involvement of public and private investors, the goal of this initiative has been not only to support the development, scaling, and financing of new solutions for social problems but also to create an enabling ecosystem for social innovation.

Portugal Social Innovation was subsequently renewed under the Portugal 2030 Partnership Agreement (2022-2027) and is currently under the direct responsibility of the Portuguese Ministry of Cohesion and Territory, in collaboration with the Ministry of Work, Employment, and Solidarity.

Portugal Social Innovation 2030 serves as the ESF+ Intermediate Body overseeing the social innovation priority in the country, with a financial allocation of €100 million.