Study on the opportunities for impact investing to promote the social and green economy in the southern neighbourhood (2021-2022)

The study on Impact Investment for Social and Green Economy in the Mena Region has been carried out by a team of experts: Gianluca Pastorelli and Samuel Barco of Diesis Network and Artur Bala.

The objective of the study is to help DG NEAR to identify opportunities to support specific impact investing vehicles especially to assist the green and social economies in the Southern Mediterranean as part of its programming 2021-2027 providing an assessment of the impact investment market in the Southern Neighborhood  countries which includes a mapping of active market actors, an analysis of market preparedness and current market interests among different (local and international) investors active in the region.

The study has a specific focus on vehicles/mechanisms/funds available for post-incubation and post-acceleration companies operating in the social economy and green economy. It provides actionable recommendations on how the EU could support impact investing initiatives, especially to assist the green and social economies.

This study is part of the EC response within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy to the recent Joint Communication which highlights the current challenges of the Southern Neighbourhood (SN) region which “is facing governance, socio-economic, climate, environmental and security challenges, many of which result from global trends and calls for joint action by the EU and Southern Neighbourhood partners proposing a “new, ambitious and innovative Agenda for the Mediterranean, drawing for the first time on the full EU toolbox and the ground-breaking opportunities of the twin green and digital transitions, in order to relaunch our cooperation and realise the untapped potential of our shared region”. Furthermore, the “perspective of the post COVID-19 recovery offers a rare opportunity for Europe and the Mediterranean region to commit to a common and people-centred agenda and the actions necessary for its implementation.” The new Agenda aims for a green, digital, resilient and just recovery, guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal. The objectives for the years to come are to build fairer and more prosperous and inclusive societies for the benefit of people, especially youth.

Download the Interim report here.

Download the actionable recommendations here.