Applications are open for the SI-Mission-Facility Training & Scaling Programme, a European capacity-building opportunity for social innovators and social entrepreneurs developing solutions linked to climate, health, cities, oceans and waters, or soil and food systems.

The programme is designed to help mission-driven organisations understand how their work connects with the European Union’s five Missions, strengthen their readiness for growth and scaling, and connect with a wider European community of innovators, experts and ecosystem partners.

Delivered by the Impact Hub Network together with mission-focused hubs across Europe, the programme combines online learning, practical sessions, national in-person meetings and regional activities.

About the SI-Mission-Facility Programme

The SI-Mission-Facility focuses on social innovations that can contribute to one or more of the five EU Missions:

• Adaptation to Climate Change
• Cancer
• Restore Our Ocean and Waters
• Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities
• A Soil Deal for Europe

Rather than functioning as a conventional pitch competition, the programme helps participants understand where their initiative fits within these European priorities and what that alignment could mean for its future development.

Participants will have opportunities to examine their mission fit, clarify their impact and scaling potential, identify support needs and prepare for future opportunities.

What Participants Will Gain

Participants in the open capacity-building programme will have the opportunity to:

• Understand how their innovation contributes to one or more EU Missions.
• Use practical tools and frameworks for social innovation and scaling.
• Strengthen their understanding of scaling readiness and impact.
• Learn from mission-focused experts and ecosystem practitioners.
• Participate in EU-wide webinars and regional learning sessions.
• Connect with social innovators working on related challenges across Europe.
• Exchange experiences and explore potential collaborations.
• Prepare for the future SI-Mission-Facility Scaling Competition.
• Identify the support and resources needed to take their initiative to the next stage.

Participation in the capacity-building programme does not guarantee selection for the later Scaling Competition.

Programme Structure

The SI-Mission-Facility journey is organised around three stages.

Step 1: Learn and Explore

The first stage is open to all registered participants.

It includes EU-wide webinars introducing the programme, the five EU Missions and the future scaling opportunity.

Participants can use this stage to better understand the Missions and identify where their organisation, initiative or expertise fits.

Step 2: Mission-Focused Scaling Support

Participants can then choose a mission-focused pathway that corresponds with their work.

The support includes one national in-person meeting, subject to available places, together with three regional online webinars hosted by a Mission Hub.

The programme currently identifies Mission Hubs for:

• Soil Mission – Impact Hub Turin
• Climate Mission – Impact Hub Bucharest
• Cancer Mission – Impact Hub Ljubljana
• Cities Mission – Impact Hub Stockholm
• Oceans and Waters Mission – Impact Hub Athens

These sessions are designed to provide more practical support around scaling, investment readiness and the specific challenges associated with each Mission.

Step 3: Scaling Competition

A separate Scaling Competition is expected to open in 2027.

This stage will involve a new application and selection process for promising social innovations that are ready to scale.

The planned opportunity includes:

• Selection of 50 social innovators or entrepreneurs for tailored coaching.
• Development of scaling plans with expert support.
• A public voting process involving 30 selected initiatives.
• Selection of 10 finalists.
• An in-person award ceremony in Italy connecting finalists with funders, investors and potential partners.

The Scaling Competition is separate from the current registration process.

Programme Timeline

The current indicative programme schedule includes:

• October 20, 2026 – Kickoff webinar and EU Missions learning activities.
• October 27, 2026 – Soil Mission activities.
• November 3, 2026 – Climate Mission activities.
• November 10, 2026 – Cancer Mission activities.
• November 17, 2026 – Cities Mission activities.
• November 24, 2026 – Oceans and Waters Mission activities.
• February–November 2027 – Separate Scaling Competition process.

The programme notes that dates may change as activities are finalised.

Important Information About Costs

Travel and accommodation are generally not covered unless this is specifically communicated by the relevant hosting hub or project partners.

Participants should therefore review the practical information provided after registration and confirm any arrangements associated with in-person activities.

Registration for the SI-Mission-Facility capacity-building activities closes on September 30, 2026.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached to apply for this opportunity.