Prosperous and democratic societies depend on organisations that create social value while remaining economically resilient. Across Central, Eastern and South‑Eastern Europe, many of those organisations work under difficult conditions: limited access to suitable finance, weak support ecosystems and increasing social and economic pressure. This is where Social Finance & Impact Investment at ERSTE Foundation comes in.

We support high‑impact organisations that prioritise social and environmental impact at least as highly as financial results. These organisations create inclusive jobs, provide essential services, strengthen democratic values and reach people who are vulnerable or at risk of becoming so. Our focus is on organisations whose impact and business model reinforce each other – from social enterprises and impact‑driven nonprofits to employment initiatives and organisations providing critical social infrastructure, such as affordable housing.

Our work combines tailored financial instruments with long‑term capacity building. Together with Erste Social Banking, local Erste Banks and a wide ecosystem of partners, we help organisations access financing formats that are adapted to their reality – including instruments that go beyond standard bank loans and can absorb higher levels of risk. At the same time, we invest in strengthening organisational resilience, financial readiness and impact management, enabling organisations to grow sustainably and increase their reach.

A key pillar of this work is Erste Social Finance Holding, our joint venture with Erste Group, through which we develop and scale social finance solutions and invest in partners such as BCR Social Finance and SLSP Social Finance, strengthening access to (micro) finance and affordable housing across the region.

A strong social economy needs more than individual transactions. It requires supportive ecosystems, skills and long‑term partnerships. That is why we engage in regional initiatives such as the Marc Impact Programme and the Social Impact Award, supporting founders, teams and organisations at different stages of development with tools for financing, organisational development and impact measurement. We also invest in and work with partners across the region to advance initiatives like Housing for All, recognising affordable housing as a key foundation for social stability and democratic societies.

Our activities are guided by an impact framework that links financing, capacity building and ecosystem development to long‑term change. We aim to contribute to a more resilient social economy in Austria and CEE – where high‑impact organisations can thrive, scale their solutions and make a lasting contribution to social cohesion, financial health and democratic participation.