Applications have opened for the first cohort of the International Social Finance Accelerator.

“As part of this multi-year programme, the ISFA provides technical and financial support to impact investment managers in their start-up phase, who have strong, innovative social investment strategies and are ready to fundraise,” it stated in an emailed announcement.

The initiative will support “emerging fund managers focusing on 3 key pillars for social impact: Decent work across the value-chain; adequate living standards and wellbeing; [and] inclusive and sustainable communities,” organisers in a Linkedin post.

The programme is organised by the not-for-profit Accelerating Impact, formerly known as ICFA Luxembourg, which also runs the International Climate Finance Accelerator. It is a public-private partnership backed by Luxembourg’s government and financial sector firms. On its website, the organisation said it has advised 277 asset managers and supported 39 asset managers with €450m of capital mobilised.

“Fund managers are selected through a highly competitive, three phase selection process,” it said. Applications are open until 28 February 2025.