Are you a social entrepreneur with a very innovative project? Then apply to this tournament by 1st March 2021 to benefit from supports from the European Investment Bank and try to win a monetary prize.
What is it about?
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the public bank of the EUropean Union. The EIB’s Social Innovation Tournament (SIT) aims to support the best European social entrepreneurs. SIT promotes innovative ideas and rewards initiatives that help create social, ethical or environmental impact. Typically, it includes projects in education, health, environment, circular economy, inclusion, job creation, aging and many more. There also is a special award in the category “sustainable living”.
What can you win?
On the occasion of SIT’s tenth anniversary, the winning projects in the General Category and the Special Category will be awarded a first or second prize of €75,000 and €30,000 respectively, as well as an Audience Award of €10,000.
In 2021, the Special Category prizes will go to projects focusing on sustainable living. Two projects will be selected to attend INSEAD’s Social Entrepreneurship programme in Fontainebleau, France.
Who can apply?
Non-profit and for-profit organizations, especially those run by young entrepreneurs and social enterprises, corporate responsibility departments of private sector companies of any size, non-governmental organizations and governmental or municipal institutions, and universities. Applications from student teams are welcome too.
In 2020, the Brussels-based enterprise BeeOdiversity won the second prize.
How does the selection process work?
The competition will be held in two rounds. A selection committee, composed mainly of EIB Group experts in innovation, environment and other relevant disciplines, will select 15 finalists. Finalists will participate in a tailored training program (mentoring bootcamp, pitching e-training, one-on-one coaching sessions, rehearsal bootcamp) to give them the guidance they need to finalize their proposals and prepare them for the final event, where all finalists will have to present and defend their project in front of a panel of social innovation experts. In 2021, the final event will take place on October 7 in Lisbon, Portugal.
The finalists of all SIT editions will become members of the SIT Alumni Network. As members, they will benefit from numerous training opportunities such as
- the Scaling Executive Program, a full-time executive training focused on scaling, pitching, and engaging with investors,
- SITolarships, an innovation fellowship program,
- and conferences across Europe to network with investors, venture philanthropists, and foundations that can help their project scale.
The deadline for application is 3 March, 23:59 CET. An infosession is organised on 24 February, 12:00 pm CET
For more info, visit the SIT website. Also, be sure to read the Guidelines for Applicants.
If you have any questions after having read all these documents, you may contact Camille Lépinay from Enterprise Europe Brussels.
