The programme is split in two phases, an acceleration phase and a more customised support phase for social entrepreneurs. Alfa Photostudio/Shutterstock.

The programme is split in two phases, an acceleration phase and a more customised support phase for social entrepreneurs. Alfa Photostudio/Shutterstock.

The four months support and mentorship programme co-financed by the ministry of labour has begun taking applications for the 2022 edition. 

Aspiring creators of social enterprises are invited to submit their application for the Impuls programme that is set to begin in March. Apart from collective training, participants will also benefit from individual coaching, expert advice and tools, and a broad network of established entrepreneurs and key players.

The programme which is split in two phases—an acceleration phase for the development of the business plan and a more customised support phase for social entrepreneurs set to launch their social impact company-- targets entrepreneurs at different stages of their project ideas with support made available to them throughout the programme duration.

Last year, 75% of the selected entrepreneurs reached the second phase of the programme, explains Vanessa Schummer, the head of the social economy and solidarity department.

The organisers intend to replicate the success from the previous editions. “Despite the general uncertainty of the pandemic, a number of entrepreneurs have dared to take the plunge and have launched in 2021 and we are delighted about that. For example, [zero-waste brand] Kilogram and [women social enterprise] KnowThyBrand Women SARL-S SIS have launched their social enterprise as a result of their participation in the programme,” Schummer states.

Some other examples of projects that have benefitted in the past include, Simon le financier, on.perfekt, and demain matin. The programme is open to everyone regardless of age and background.

Two sessions are organised per year and each of them has eight available slots. This means that 16 budding social entrepreneurs stand a chance to benefit from the support provided this year.

Although the framework of the Impuls programme does not include financial incentives, there have been cases where seed funding has been provided by the Oeuvre nationale--Grand Duchess Charlotte national relief service, a partner of the programme.

“The Grand Duchess Charlotte National Relief Society offers financial support to projects accompanied in the Impuls programme. In 2020, an entrepreneur was granted financial support for the creation of his company and the launch of his activity as a social impact company (SIS). The company called A-prendre SARL-S SIS offers French language courses to populations in need (refugees, single parents, etc.).”

for more information and to register.