THE CONSUMPTION CHALLENGE

Sustainable consumption is crucial for the healthy development of our communities, but making the transition is a huge challenge for the Romanian market due to low consumer awareness, insufficient or unimplemented regulation and a poor understanding of economic incentives in the business sector.

THE INITIATIVE

The Social Impact Incubator is a partnership between Impact Hubs in Romania and Impact Hub Zurich to adapt an innovation and entrepreneurship methodology developed in Switzerland for growing Romanian communities through the power of startups designed for profit, people and planet.

The initiative will be implemented March 2016 – February 2017 and is co-financed by a grant from Switzerland through the Swiss Contribution to the enlarged European Union in total value of 73,116.72 CHF.

INNOVATION FOR A SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY

Impact Startup Factory is the acceleration program developed as part of this partnership to support organizations and startup teams in creating innovative products and services used as alternative solutions for reducing the environmental damage and to create new resources for organizations and communities.

At least 100 ideas with high potential will be identified, followed by incubating the best 20 with the target of taking at least 4 products beyond the prototype stage.

The program will offer support through mentorship and access to a network of support that includes:
– environmental organizations willing to provide their own resources and even integrate these ideas in their activities (intrapreneurship)
– investors and sponsors interested in social businesses creating an environmental impact

WIDER IMPACT

The Social Impact Incubator initiative will also take steps to provide other actors with information on innovation opportunities through:

a consultation of environmental NGOs in Romania, highlighting the most pressing needs for innovation in the field of sustainable consumption information and awareness for at least 50.000 people and over 20 relevant institutions in educating/facilitating sustainable consumption (especially Ministries, resort agencies, faculties).