Ethical Finance leveraging Social Housing – From Assets to Access

This workshop aims to present the priorities, recommendations, and concerns of the ethical finance sector regarding the housing crisis and social housing issues. This workshop is financed by SIFTA.
Workshop
UPCOMING

Date:

May 23, 2025

Time:

10:00 – 12:15AM (CET)

Location:

Online
Free

Language:

English

Translation:

No

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Information

To further explore the findings and proposals of our recent publication, “From Assets to Access: Ethical Finance to Leverage Social Housing,” FEBEA is pleased to host a workshop dedicated to break down the key points of the paper. The session will highlight the role of ethical finance in strengthening social housing across Europe and present actionable recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders working toward inclusive, community-driven housing solutions.

In addition to presenting the paper’s core insights by the Paper’s author, Anna Ghilardi, and Policy Manager of FEBEA, Valentina Patetta, the webinar will include practical experiences from ethical finance practitioners across Europe. These contributors will share real-world examples of how community-based financial initiatives are already addressing housing challenges on the ground—proving that ethical finance is not just a theory, but a tangible force for change.

The session also aims to serve as a platform for open discussion between practitioners in the social housing sector, experienced organizations, and EU policymakers and stakeholders currently working to address the housing crisis. By fostering dialogue and transparency, FEBEA hopes to contribute to a more informed and collaborative approach, ensuring that the best possible solutions can be identified for the common good of all citizens across Europe.

Agenda

Moderated by: Valentina Patetta

10:00 – 11:00 – Presentation of FEBEA paper’s recommendations: “From assets to access: Ethical finance to leverage social housing”

    • Anna Ghilardi – Author of the paper
    • Valentina Patetta – FEBEA Policy Manager

 

  • Stakeholders’ dialogue
    • Representative of the European Commission’s Task Force on Housing
    • Representative of the European Parliament of the Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union – HOUS
    • FEANTSA
    • Cooperatives Europe
    • Housing Europe

 

11:00 – 11:20 Q&A

11:20 – 11:25 – Break

11:25 – 12:30 – FEBEA network case studies – practical cases on how to finance Social Housing

  • Hefboom
  • Fondazione Messina
  • Socialni Innovatori

Questions and answers

Concluding remarks – Valentina Patetta

Speakers

Valentina Patetta

Policy Manager at FEBEA. She will outline the network’s policy priorities, the objectives of the paper, and the potential for joint efforts between European institutions and ethical financiers to address the housing crisis in Europe from a human-centered perspective.

Anna Ghilardi

Advocacy Officer at Sustainable Finance Lab. She previously worked at FEBEA as a Policy and Projects Officer and is an expert in ethical and sustainable finance. Anna is the author of the paper that will be discussed during the workshop.

Representative of the European Commission's Task Force on Housing

Representative of the European Parliament of the Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union – HOUS

FEANTSA

The European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless. It is the only European NGO focusing exclusively on the fight against homelessness. Their ultimate goal is an end to homelessness in Europe.

Cooperatives Europe

Is the voice of cooperative enterprises in Europe on behalf of its 84 member organisations from 33 European countries across all business sectors it promotes the cooperative business model in Europe.

Hefboom

Hefboom is a Belgian credit cooperative that focuses on promoting and supporting social and sustainable investments. Hefboom provides financing solutions and investment opportunities aimed at social enterprises and projects that deliver positive social and environmental impacts in Flanders.

Fondazione di Comunità di Messina

Cluster of social economy organizations promoting social and economic development in the Messina area of Sicily and dedicated to creating new economic activities in the territory. Comprised of three foundations in one: a microfinance institution (MFI), SEFEA holding, and an additional entity. The original purpose is social inclusion through housing, entrepreneurship, and personal development. It is focused on the promotion and development of the local culture, and it maintains international relations with European and Mediterranean social economy partners. It is also engaged in the development of public infrastructure.

Sociálni Inovátori

Created in 2017, is a cooperative that acts as an intermediary in securing financing for social enterprises in Slovakia. They have the goal of creating a functional infrastructure and ecosystem for impact entrepreneurs and all future solvers of societal challenges.

Housing Europe

Is the European Federation of Public, Cooperative & Social Housing. Since 1988 it is a network of 45 national and regional federations, as well as 16 partnering organisations in 31 countries in Europe

 

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