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ScaleUp - The International Incubator for Social Innovation

From 17 to 21 November 2025, the European Social Innovation Alliance (ESIA) – led by Social Impact gGmbH – invites eight innovative social enterprises from its member countries Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Estonia plus other European countries to join its fully-funded, five-day ScaleUp incubator near Berlin. If your area of focus as a social enterprise is either inclusive employment or youth & adult education, then this is your chance to learn, collaborate & scale your impact across borders!
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What to expect?

The ScaleUp incubator offers...

  • Peer learning & deep knowledge exchange

  • International perspectives & best practices

  • Coaching by experienced trainers from Social Impact gGmbH

  • Experts and mentors from the participating countries

  • All travel and accommodation costs (full board) are covered

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Who can apply?

Social enterprises which...

  • … are already established and active in the market, with their head office in Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Estonia or other European countries

  • … work on innovative solutions in the fields of inclusive employment or youth & adult education

  • … are interested in transnational cooperation and scaling

  • ... are comfortable with the incubator being in English.

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About the application & selection process

  • Application deadline: 07 October 2025, end of day

  • Two social enterprises per country will be selected

  • Maximum 2 participants per enterprise can attend

  • Selected participants will be informed by 10 October 2025

  • Apply via the link below:

Apply here

Focus on two thematic areas for efficient peer learning

Inclusive Employment

Inclusive employment is the practice of creating workplaces where people of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities have equal access to opportunities, resources, and fair treatment. It goes beyond simply meeting legal requirements by actively removing barriers - whether physical, social, or attitudinal - that can exclude certain groups. Inclusive employment values diversity as a strength, ensuring that recruitment, career development, and workplace culture are designed so everyone can contribute their skills and feel respected. This approach benefits not only employees, but also organizations, by fostering innovation, engagement, and stronger community connections. Social enterprises can offer products or services designed to help other organizations create equitable and accessible workplaces - such as inclusive recruitment platforms, bias-reducing HR technologies, tailored training programs, and accessibility consulting. They can thus enable employers across sectors to remove barriers and hire from diverse talent pools. Potentially, the social enterprises then act as catalysts for systemic change, ensuring that equitable employment becomes a standard rather than an exception in the wider labour market.

Youth & Adult Education

Youth and adult education refers to lifelong learning opportunities that equip individuals - whether in their formative years or later in life - with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to participate fully in society and the economy. It encompasses formal, non-formal, and informal learning, ranging from basic literacy and vocational training to digital skills, entrepreneurship, and personal development. Social enterprises design and deliver accessible, learner-centered programs that address skill gaps, reduce barriers to education, and respond to real market needs. By integrating training with employment pathways, mentorship, and community support, social enterprises not only enhance individual employability but also strengthen local economies, foster social inclusion, and empower learners to become active changemakers in their communities.

Your host

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Social Impact gGmbH is a non-profit agency for social innovation, operating across Germany. Since 1994, it has developed and implemented programs, projects, and consulting services aimed at increasing social impact. Its focus lies in supporting social enterprises, civil society organizations, and public sector actors in designing and implementing innovative solutions to societal challenges.

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The partner organisations

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Your trainers

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Benjamin Klein

Trainer Social Impact gGmbH

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Milena Glimbovski

Trainer Social Impact gGmbH

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Norbert Kunz

CEO Social Impact gGmbH/ Trainer & Mentor

The EU and the scaling of social innovations

The European Union supports social innovation as a way to address complex societal challenges - such as unemployment, social exclusion, and the climate crisis - through new and more effective solutions. Recognizing that traditional approaches alone are not enough, the EU invests in projects and networks that test, scale, and share innovative ideas with strong social impact. This support comes through funding programs like the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and its Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) program, which provide resources for research, capacity building, and cross-border collaboration like The European Social Innovation Alliance (ESIA) and its National Competence Centres for Social Innovation. By fostering partnerships between public bodies, businesses, and civil society, the EU aims to create sustainable, inclusive growth and ensure that innovative solutions can be replicated and adapted across member states. The ScaleUp incubator is co-funded by the European Union and wants to foster the scaling of social innovations across EU member states, especially across the ESIA member countries Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Estonia.
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The location

In the village of Stegelitz - located in the federal state of Brandenburg, in a region called Uckermark and about 110 kms from Berlin's centre - Social Impact gGmbH has brought back life into the old school building and, with great dedication, supports the revival of social vibrancy in the region. The former classrooms have been transformed into workshop spaces and meeting rooms.
Learn more (in German)

Apply now till 07 October 2025!

Scale your innovative solution in inclusive employment or youth/ adult education
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Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the ScaleUp incubator?

How is the selection process set up?

What are the costs for attending the ScaleUp incubator?

How do you define a social enterprise and social innovation?

Who is The European Social Innovation Alliance?

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The European Social Innovation Alliance is a joint project of Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund Niedersachsen, Development Center of Võru County, Diakonie Deutschland, Diakonie Schleswig-Holstein, FASE, Good Deed Foundation (Heateo), CAOP, Ministry of Economics, Affairs & Communications Estonia, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Action Brandenburg, Ministry of Interior Estonia, Ministry of Labour Luxembourg, Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment Netherlands, National Foundation of Civil Society (KÜSK), SAP, Social Entrepreneurship Network Germany, Social Enterprise Estonia, Social Enterprise Netherlands, Social Innovation Lab Estonia, Tallinn University, TU Dortmund University, University of Tartu, University of Utrecht, University of Gelsenkirchen, University of Heidelberg, Wider Sense. The lead partner is Social Impact. The project is co-funded by the European Union as part of the ESF+ Social Innovation+ Initiative.

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