You should only apply if you already have a track record of providing employment to marginalized groups either by directly employing them, placing them in the open job market, or sourcing from marginalized suppliers. Preference would be given to companies already creating employment/supplier opportunities for at least 20 people from marginalized groups (people facing migration or displacement, small producers and artisans, youth, ethnic minorities, the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, women, small-scale farmers, informal workers, and people experiencing homelessness).    

Yes, this program is dedicated to enterprises (various legal forms such as foundation, association, LLC, cooperative etc.) registered in Poland or Romania. However, if your business is not registered in either of these two countries, but you are involved in creating jobs/placement for refugees or migrants, please contact our team to explore other ways we may be able to support you.

Sim, você pode se candidatar, mas deve apresentar fortes evidências de experiência no gerenciamento de uma empresa com uma equipe.

The application asks for you to include a description of your environmental practices and policies. 

NESsT supports enterprises that directly employ marginalized people or indirectly create sustainable and dignified employment for marginalized communities through their supply chain. We would like to understand how your strategy would use our funding and capacity support to create at least 60 jobs for marginalized people in the three years.

If your company sales are below USD $75,000 but you are able to provide strong evidence that your enterprise is growing and can reach this level of annual sales in the near future, you should still consider applying to the initiative. Basically, you must demonstrate the capacity to repay a recoverable grant from USD $35,000 to 100,000 within 3 years. 

Yes. Even though it is important that prospective enterprises maintain sound financial records and have a team focused on financial management, NESsT recognizes that many teams are still developing these skills. In circumstances where applicants do not have a CFO, NESsT will work with their management teams to develop the financial management capacity internally. 

Generally, it is estimated that the due diligence process will take around 3 months after the end of the open call. Then another month to prepare and sign the Memorandum of Understanding at which point we begin to provide the business and financial support. However, this depends on how quickly the enterprise is able to provide NESsT with needed information. 

The program offers two types of instruments available:  

Recoverable grants (equivalent to soft, long-term, interest-free loans) to finance business growth efforts including both investment and working capital. Small grants may be granted for strongly justified purposes and on a case-by-case basis in addition to the recoverable grant.

NESsT defines a recoverable grant as a soft, long-term, interest-free loan. It needs to be repaid within the agreed time frame, and it is destined to cover the investment and/or working capital needs of the business.

Yes, selected social enterprises will receive either recoverable grant or both – a recoverable grant and a grant, depending on their impact potential and the investment need.

Selected enterprises will receive mentoring and training from NESsT’s network of social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and business professionals. In addition, enterprises have access to masterclasses that provide information on business topics including sales, marketing, financial management, brand building, and social impact management, among others.  

Chosen enterprises will also be promoted across NESsT’s network and featured in its relevant media channels, including the local and global media, website, newsletters, social media, publications, etc.

The NESsT due diligence process for the program is thorough and can take anywhere from 0 to 4 months. It includes several steps designed to ensure alignment between NESsT and the prospective participant. The process may involve:

1. Interviews: Conducted either online or offline to gain a deeper understanding of the organization. 

2. Site Visits: On-the-ground assessments to observe operations firsthand. 

3. Data Review: Examination of key information, including: 

1. Financial data (historical 3 years and forecast for the next 3 years) 

2. Business details 

3. Governance structures 

4. Scale and quality of social and environmental impact 

5. Environmental data 

4. Alignment Check: Evaluating how well the organization aligns with NESsT’s mission, approach, and values. 

5. Needs and Capacity Assessment: Assessing the organization's capacity and need for NESsT’s contributions. 

6. Credibility and Financial Solvency: Verifying the organization’s credibility and financial health. 

7. Portfolio Fit Analysis: Considering how the prospect complements NESsT's existing portfolio. 

8. Defining Investment Goals: Collaboratively setting clear investment objectives, as well as impact and business KPIs for the duration of the program. 

This comprehensive process ensures that the selected organizations are well-positioned to succeed and create meaningful, scalable impact within the program. 

Please go to program timeline section to see how program is designed.

No. We are sector-agnostic, although we would like enterprises that will apply to  demonstrate the capacity to create jobs for  60+ people from vulnerable communities over the next three years. It includes internal hiring, partnering with vulnerable suppliers and/or training vulnerable people and helping them find a job in the open market outside the enterprise.

Unfortunately, the initiative is designed to support existing enterprises with annual sales of over 75,000 EUR, a proven business model and an attractive product or service. 

It isn't a requirement but showing that you are personally invested and willing to put your own resources toward the chosen business investment and the employment of marginalized groups will be very highly evaluated.

The program is conducted in English and in local languages – Polish and Romanian. At least one representative of the company participating in the program must be able to communicate confidently in English.

There isn’t any expected duration of employment, but employees from marginalized groups must be hired with a formal job contract with long-term job security. 

Yes, the recoverable grants can support salary costs but you must demonstrate a business model that can pay for employees in six months time from the sale of products and /or services.

Any other relevant documents or presentations (CVS of the business founder(s) and management team, balance sheets for the last two to three years including preliminary sheets for 2025, videos, pitch deck, one-pager, etc.) should be added to your application. A video is recommended, but not mandatory.

English is the preferred language, but you can also choose to record the video in Polish or Romanian.