“Impact for Breakfast”

On September 27, the second “Impact for Breakfast” was organized by Education HUB and European Venture Philanthropy Association in close cooperation with the UNDP Azerbaijan.  This event is organized in the frames of the EU-funded Action “Collaborate for Impact” and ‘Developing innovation-driven and sustainable civil society in Azerbaijan’ projects.

The main purpose of the meeting is the discussion of the current state of the Social Entrepreneurship ecosystem in Azerbaijan, the creation of social investment funds, and increasing networking among interested parties operating in the country in this field.

Gulnara Ismailova, the Program Manager of Education HUB, who started the event with an opening speech, welcomed the participants and shared the concept of Impact for Breakfast and the current status of the Social Entrepreneurship ecosystem in Azerbaijan.

Lana Lovasic, UNDP Consultant, gave a speech about “Blended finance” concepts. She emphasized the importance of socially responsible investment and a value-based approach.

The co-founder of the first impact investment fund – Oltre Foundation in İtaly Luciano Balbo shared his experience with impact investment, invest funds. He demonstrated some investment fund examples from Italy and other countries. He highlighted the growing sensibility to impact both among investors and entrepreneurs and microfinance as the most successful segment in developing countries.

At the end of the event, the participants shared their suggestions for the next “Impact for Breakfast” meeting.