The results of the  EVPA ‘Investing for Impact Survey 2017/2018’, has shown an increase in the allocation of resources compared to the past in Central Eastern Europe, which reached seven per cent of the total capital disbursed – a five per cent increase in two years.

The study explored where and how European venture philanthropy and social investment organisations deploy resources to support social purpose organisations. It gathered data from 110 organisations across Europe, either focussing exclusively on social return, or seeking a social return alongside a financial one, and adopting the core practices of the VP approach.

‘The purpose of this report is to provide independent industry statistics, which are crucial in a sector that is increasingly gaining importance and attention among a wide range of actors, including policy makers, traditional investors and grant-making foundations. Furthermore, since the VP/SI sector is evolving rapidly, it is crucial to gather and aggregate data that are consistent with the definition and the boundaries of the VP/SI space’ mentions Steven Serneels, EVPA CEO.

The survey asked organisations to divide the amount invested among seven macro-regions of the world: Western Europe, Central Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania, North America and Latin America. According to the reports, the rise in the investment directed to Central Eastern Europe is likely reflecting an increase in the total number of respondents coming from the region and investing locally.

‘EVPA’s role is particularly important when it comes to providing market research and data on recent developments in the field of impact investing and venture philanthropy. These data constitute much-needed evidence and contribute to shaping EU policy and initiatives’, stated by Manuela Geleng, Director of ‘Skills’ Directorate at the Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion at the European Commission.

The full survey and summary can be viewed here.