The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation has been working on creating an impact investment ecosystem in Portugal, seeking to test and validate the use of new financing instruments for the third sector, and support the development of new business models that combine financial return and social impact.

This agenda has been implemented, above all, by supporting MAZE, a structure created by the Foundation for the purpose of working with public sector leaders, entrepreneurs and investors who have an impact on the development of effective solutions to address social and environmental challenges.

Our goals:

• Promote the use of new financial instruments to help mobilize public financing (capitalizing on the financing opportunities of the Portugal Inovação Social Mission Unit) and private sector financing;
• Empower organisations for investment, providing access to diverse sources of financing;
• Promote the development of new production and business models based on sustainable, high-impact solutions, such as the circular economy and bioeconomy;
• Promote the use of new procurement models for outcome-oriented social services (Social Impact Bonds) in the public sector.