Hamburg is the first federal state to launch a funding programme specifically for social enterprises, thus setting an example for social change and strengthening the Hamburg metropolitan region as a location for innovation. The Hanseatic City’s goal is to promote social innovations through the joint implementation of the Hamburg Strategy for Social Entrepreneurship. The new “InnoImpact” programme of the Ministry of Economics and Innovation (BWI) is now accepting applications.
In April 2023, the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and six other partners from business, science and foundations joined forces to form the “Hamburger Allianz für Social Entrepreneurship e. V.”. The aim of the association is to promote social innovations through the joint implementation of the Hamburg Strategy for Social Entrepreneurship. In addition to representatives of various Hamburg authorities, academia, welfare and civil society, a total of more than 350 people from the social entrepreneurship community were involved in the participatory strategy process. The final strategy was adopted by the Senate in January 2023.
A strong ecosystem for social entrepreneurship
The common vision of “Social Enterprises – the driving force behind a city worth living in for all” forms the core of the strategy. To this end, a strong ecosystem for social entrepreneurship is to be created in Hamburg, which can act as an inspiration and good example for the economy, administration and civil society. The social entrepreneurial impulse for sustainable action and economic activity should thus become a wave that carries the entire city society along and brings it into exchange.
“InnoImpact” opens up new financing channels for social enterprises
The “InnoImpact” funding programme implements an important measure of Hamburg’s social entrepreneurship strategy. The opening of new financing channels for prospective and existing social enterprises is one of four fields of action.
InnoImpact” thus complements the existing start-up funding programmes of Hamburgische Investitions- und Förderbank (IFB Hamburg) and its subsidiary IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH.
Next funding call for “#UpdateHamburg” in early 2024
With the planned continuation of the successful “#UpdateHamburg” format, BWI and IFB Hamburg will also offer a regular funding instrument for the development of innovative solutions by already established social enterprises and other socially innovative actors. The content and implementation will be closely coordinated with the newly founded Hamburg Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship. The next funding call within the framework of #UpdateHamburg is planned for the beginning of 2024.
Apply now for “InnoImpact
Applications for “InnoImpact” can now be submitted here to IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH by individuals or teams of up to three people who will focus entirely on founding their company during the funding period. In addition to natural persons, legal entities of all legal forms (e.g. also e. V., gGmbH, e. G.) can apply. To finance the costs associated with the start-up project and living expenses, the founders receive a personal lump sum of up to 2,500 euros per month each.
Further links:
Information on the “InnoImpact” funding programme: https://innovationsstarter.com/innoimpact.
Social entrepreneurship strategy of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg: https://www.hamburg.de/bwi/innovation-technologie-cluster/social-entrepreneurship-strategie/.
