UniCredit was the official banking partner of the EU Commission’s Finance 4 Social Change project in 2020-21 with colleagues offering their expertise and mentorship to the participants and a key role in the jury that selected the winning projects.

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The Finance 4 Social Change (F4SC) project supported by the European Commission was created with the aim of supporting entrepreneurship to drive positive social change in the Danube region as well as helping to shape the regulatory framework to improve the functioning of the social finance sector. UniCredit was the official banking partner of this project through its Social Impact Banking programme with the active involvement of local colleagues in several of our countries: Germany, Austria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Bulgaria. 

Our colleagues participated in the workshops of the Social Impact Business Plan Competition, a key part of the F4SC programme, offering their expertise and mentorship to the participants. In addition, they were part of the jury that selected the four winning projects.

 

The F4SC winners were:

 

1. Vollpension from Austria

A stylish cafe-bar that provides a space for different generations to interact with the aim of bridging the age gap and involving older people in social life who may otherwise feel lonely or isolated.

 

2. STEMI from Croatia

An edtech company that aims to accelerate the development of a high-tech workforce by turning classrooms into innovation labs where middle and high school students can experience hands-on projects and learn real-world practices.

 

3. One Night Gallery from Romania

An exhibition concept that focuses on contemporary Romanian art and supporting artists by repurposing unconventional venues and encouraging artistic expression through technology.

 

4. Caritas "Alley of Sustainable Development" from Serbia

A blend of social protection initiatives, hospitality venues, primary and secondary agricultural production, local tourism, all following the rationale of sustainable development.

 

F4SC involved social enterprises from 10 European countries situated near the Danube River with close to 250 participants in total. 

 

To learn more about the initiative and hear directly from its participants and partners, watch the below video.