Recent News

EVPA appoints new CEO

by EVPA on April 26, 2012

EVPA is delighted to have appointed Kurt Peleman as its new Chief Executive. Kurt is a Belgian national with outstanding experience in both the non profit and social entrepreneurial sector. Kurt previously worked for Medecines Sans Frontieres (MSF) for which he managed field programs in Thailand, Kenya, Russia, Bosnia and Angola and later became CEO of MSF-Norway. In 2000, he became the first 'philanthropy consultant' in Belgium, with a specific focus on venture philanthropy.

BonVenture und German KfW Group realise first joint project to fund social enterprises

by EVPA on April 23, 2012

BonVenture project partner Social Publish Verlag 2010 GmbH is Germany’s first social enterprise to profit from a newly launched KfW programme: In March, BonVenture and KfW, acting as co-investors, completed a second round of financing with Social Publish Verlag 2010 GmbH. This is the first time KfW Group has made use of its new instrument to promote social enterprise. As of January 1st, KfW provides venture capital for social enterprises by doubling the financing provided by social investment funds, business angels or foundations. KfW Group is a promotional bank of the Federal Republic of Germany and the federal states. The Social Publish Verlag 2010 GmbH publishes 'enorm – Wirtschaft für den Menschen' (six issues per year). This is Germany's first print magazine dedicated to independent discourse on social entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility and ethical business. Based on the long-standing experience of BonVenture, preparatory to the launch of the new KfW programme an intense knowledge exchange had taken place between the two partners. Further information: www.bonventure.de

Scaling up across borders – the Auticon case

by EVPA on April 17, 2012

Societal problems are often similar in developed countries in Europe. Nonetheless, while there are many great initiatives developed in different countries, they are seldom scaled up across borders. Indeed, the EVPA industry survey conducted byt he Knowledge Centre in 2011 found that only 4% of VP funding targets European countries. At a European level this creates inefficiency as it prevents other countries from benefiting from social innovations developed elsewhere. The Social Venture Fund, an impact first fund based in Germany, supports the scaling up of innovation across Europe both financially and non-financially. The Fund with of €7.5 Million under management, has to date completed three investments. One of them, Auticon, is a great example of a successful transfer from one country to another; in this case from Belgium to Germany. In the following interview Johannes Weber, Managing Partner and initiator of the Social Venture Fund, talks about the challenges of transferring the Auticon project to Germany and explains what venture philanthropy organisations can do to support the scaling up of innovation across Europe.

Inspiring Scotland marks year three of 14:19 Fund

by EVPA on April 17, 2012

EVPA member Inspiring Scotland is marking year 3 of its successful 10 year fund which has invested over £19 million to get young Scots into employment, education or training. Inspiring Scotland’s 14:19 Fund is one of Scotland’s most collaborative approaches to tackling youth unemployment and maximising the impact of charitable investment. During 2011:

• The 14:19 Fund Invested £6.1m in a portfolio of carefully selected charities all focused on getting young people into a job, education or training.
• The 14:19 Fund portfolio leveraged an additional £4.9m.
• 5,242 young people were supported and 7,025 qualifications and achievements were gained to help young people to be more prepared to move into a positive destination.

Venture Philanthropy Blooms in Asia

by EVPA on April 17, 2012

The Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) highlighted the growth of venture philanthropy across Asia when it announced it had reached 92 founder members at the launch of Asia’s first venture philanthropy web-based directory. Building on the success of EVPA, AVPN brings together VP practitioners and others in the VP ecosystem to collaborate and scale their social impact.