Started in 2012, the project aims to contribute to the growth and competitiveness of the new market for social innovation and entrepreneurship, promoting Portugal as a pioneer in the EU regarding recognition, research, publication and dissemination of innovative and sustainable business models, thus aspiring to become a European case-study for such initiatives. The project is promoted by the Instituto de Empreendedorismo Social e Instituto Padre António Vieira, with European funding through the programme COMPETE, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and EDP Foundation.
This initiative is also being extended to the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries, with Mozambique being the first country to receive this pilot experience. The project, supported in partnership with the Gulbenkian Development Aid Programme, includes mapping activities for best practices, intensive training of social entrepreneurs identified in the area of Maputo and subsequent monitoring and mentoring for developing their projects.