The European Social Catalyst Fund (ESCF), a new initiative to support the development of detailed implementation plans to scale proven social innovations, has been launched. The objective of the ESCF is to bring together public and private resources to improve social services to enable people who need support to live as valued and participating members of their communities. It is envisaged that the fund will act as a catalyst to unlock public and private resources (e.g. philanthropy and social investment) to achieve improved outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable people, so they may live as participating and valued members of society. Phase 1 of ESCF will be funded by a combination of the European Commission and philanthropy. The aim of Phase 1 will be to support a range of robust implementation plans for at least five initiatives that, if implemented, will contribute to meeting or reducing key social challenges at national levels and have the potential for shared learning, application and spread across borders. More information can be found at: www.euscf.eu/about
