Press Release: European Commission and European Investment Fund mobilise €500 million for social and micro-entrepreneurs

To promote jobs and growth in Europe, social and micro-enterprises will soon have access to over €500 million in finance. This is the result of a new mandate agreement signed on 24 June 2015 between the European Commission and the European Investment Fund (EIF). Support will be made available under the European Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI), which will provide a €96 million guarantee for the period 2014-2020 which is expected to mobilise over €500 million in loans. The programme targets individuals who wish to start or further develop their own social and micro-enterprises, in particular, people who have difficulties in entering the job market or in accessing finance.