The 2026 EU Funding Toolkit for Social Enterprises and their Support Organisations

In a context marked by major social, economic, digital and environmental transitions, social enterprises are increasingly recognised as key actors in delivering inclusive and sustainable solutions across Europe. 

While the European Union has significantly strengthened its policy and financial support for the social economy in recent years, access to funding remains one of the main challenges faced by social enterprises and the organisations that support them. The diversity of EU programmes, financial instruments and private funding oportunities, combined with their technical complexity, often makes it difficult for actors in the field to identify the most relevant sources of support and to structure effective fundraising strategies. 

This toolkit has been designed to respond to this challenge by providing social enterprise support organisations and intermediaries with practical, accessible and structured guidance to navigate the European funding landscape. Covering both public and private funding opportunities, it aims to support the formulation of fundraising strategies, facilitate funding applications and strengthen the capacity of intermediaries to advise their beneficiaries. Intended primarily for networks, incubators, accelerators, public bodies, research and training institutions, as well as civil society organisations, the guide can also be used by social enterprises themselves, notably through its focus on early-stage finance. 

By combining an overview of key EU funding programmes, insights into philanthropic and corporate fundraising, and concrete tips and tools, this resource offers a flexible roadmap that can be used either selectively or as a comprehensive guide, helping organisations build sustainable funding models aligned with their missions and contexts.

1) Accessing EU Funding 

• An evolving EU policy for the sector
• The EU’s concrete support to social enterprise intermediaries
• Find your best fit - a tool to navigate the EU funding maze
• A detailed presentation of the multiple EU funds

2) Getting Non-EU Public Funding 

3) Philanthropic & Corporate Fundraising 

• Accessing philanthropic & corporate fundraising: A step-by-step guide
• Example 1 - A hybrid set up within a business: IKEA Social Entrepreneurship
• Example 2 - The global CSR department of a multinational: SAP CSR
• Example 3 - A corporate foundation: The Thomson Reuters Foundation 

4) Tips & Tricks: A Roadmap to Fundraising