The primary objective of this training is to gain a deeper understanding of the current state of equity investments in Europe and their potential impact on the social economy. The training will explore different types of equity capital used in the social and solidarity economy, including those tailored specifically for social enterprises. By examining two real-life case studies, participants will learn about equity instruments provided by organizations such as Change, which originated as a debt providing organization, and Seed Capital Bizkaia, a pioneer regional investor. The training aims to provide valuable insights into the challenges and advantages of equity investments.

Equity capital is a form of investment provided by the owners of a company. Unlike debt, equity capital does not need to be repaid and remains invested in the company for an unlimited period. Investors benefit from regular dividend payments and the potential increase in the company’s valuation, leading to a higher value of their shares. In the social and solidarity economy, various types of equity capital are utilized, some similar to traditional venture capital, while others are specifically tailored to the unique context of social enterprises.