Training and Scaling Lab Programme: In-Person Bootcamp
2026-09-05 - 2026-09-09 | Impact Hub Bucharest
From 5-9 September, 2026, the in-person bootcamp will take place in the context of the SIMF’s Training and Scaling Lab Programme.
Content: Co-designing effective support programmes
Host: Impact Hub Bucharest
Location: Impact Hub Bucharest

Registration: please note, that the registration period for the SIMF’s Training and Scaling Lab Programme is already closed.
If you wish to participate in future activities, please subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with activities.
Contact: If you have registered already and have remaining questions, please reach out to Lucia Radu: lucia.radu@impacthub.net

Save the Date: Soils for Europe Conference 2026 in Coimbra
2026-09-07 - 2026-09-11
The Soils for Europe Conference 2026, a major European gathering on soil research and innovation, will take place from 7–11 September 2026 in Coimbra, Portugal.

Co‑organised by multiple EU Mission Soil projects, the conference will cover all Mission objectives with cross‑cutting sessions showcasing the latest science, policy insights and practical solutions for soil health, sustainable land management and climate resilience.
Open to researchers, practitioners, policymakers, land managers and industry stakeholders, the event also includes a dedicated Living Labs Day to highlight real‑world initiatives from across Europe. Participants can expect rich opportunities for knowledge exchange, networking and collaboration to advance soil sustainability and innovation in line with European goals.
For registration details and programme updates, visit the official conference website, here: https://soils4europe.eu/soils-europe-conference-2026

JRC Summer School 2026 on the evaluation of air, soil and water pollution
2026-09-14 - 2026-09-18
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) is organising the JRC Summer School 2026 on the evaluation of air, soil and water pollution in support of the European Green Deal: a holistic approach.

This summer school aims to strengthen green skills for a more sustainable and resource-efficient society, in line with the objectives of the EU Enlargement policy. It contributes to regional economic growth within the framework of the dual green and digital transitions.
It is organised in partnership with Goce Delcev University (UGD), North Macedonia, a strategic regional and European partner in research, innovation and academic excellence.
General publications3 February 2026 Programme 2026
This training covers key topics related to the evaluation of air, soil and water quality. Participants will learn how to use JRC tools for emissions and impact assessment, become familiar with innovative methods to improve water quality and soil health, and gain insight into advanced measurement techniques.
The added value of this event lies in the opportunity to learn directly from JRC experts in air, soil and water quality, exchange knowledge and experience with peers from the Western Balkans region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) and expand scientific and professional networks.
The Summer School will take place in person over five days and will include lectures by JRC scientists and invited experts, practical applications and involvement in fieldwork.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence. All references to Kosovo, shall be understood in full compliance with United Nation’s Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
Participation and certificate
Participants are expected to attend the Summer School for its entire duration. Continuous participation is required in order to receive a certificate of attendance and to ensure the overall quality and sustainability of the event .
How to apply
The application process is open.

Application deadline: 15 May 2026
Required documents:

Motivation statement
Curriculum vitae

Applications should be sent to: JRC-summerschool [dot] WB2026ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (JRC-summerschool[dot]WB2026[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
Selection criteria
Participants will be selected based on:

The clarity of their motivation to attend
The relevance of their CV

Applicants will be informed of the selection results by email by 30 June 2026
Costs and logistics
Participation in the Summer School is free of charge. Participants are responsible for their travel and accommodation costs. The JRC will provide financial support for the first 10 ranked candidates on the selection list.
Participants are encouraged to consider the environmental impact of their travel and, where possible, to choose low-emission options. The JRC is committed to organising the Summer School in a green spirit, minimising food waste, single-use plastics and paper printing .
Applications should be sent to: JRC-summerschool.WB2026@ec.europa.eu

Further information: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/events/jrc-summer-school-2026-evaluation-air-soil-and-water-pollution-2026-09-14_en

[Source & Credits of the content: EU Agenda Network SL]

Social Innovation Forum 2026
2026-10-07 - 2026-10-08
Join the fourth annual Social Innovation Forum 2026, taking place on 7–8 October 2026 in Brussels, Belgium.
The event will feature Ms. Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness at the European Commission.
The Forum brings together ESF+ social innovation stakeholders, including ministries, managing authorities, experts and project operators. The objectives of the Forum are to discuss successful social innovations from various Member States, the opportunities and challenges in terms of further scaling up and scaling wide such innovations, and explore how advocacy can be strengthened through evidence, impact communication, and closer alignment between practice and policy. Discussions will also focus on impact, the value of social innovation and its role in policymaking, as well as funding of social innovation.
Visit the website for the detailed agenda and information on how to register: https://socialinnovationplus.eu/event/social-innovation-forum-2026/

Social Investment Lab – Lisbon Edition
2026-10-15 - 2026-10-16
How can Europe better finance social innovation?

The SIMF Social Investment Lab will bring together a carefully selected group of around 30 impact investors, philanthropists, policymakers, entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders in Lisbon (15–16 October 2026) to explore financing models that bridge the gap between grant funding and impact investment.

While the SIMF Social Investment Lab is an invitation-only event, we want to broaden the conversation and create an opportunity for additional voices to join us.

If you work in social investment, impact investing, philanthropy, public policy, social entrepreneurship, or social innovation, and feel your experience could contribute to the discussions, we encourage you to submit an Expression of Interest.

📍 Lisbon, Portugal 📅 15–16 October 2026

The Social Investment Lab (15 October 9:00 – 16 October 14:00)

​The Social Investment Lab explores financing models that support social innovation – specifically the underserved space between grant funding and impact investment finance, where many social innovations struggle to find the capital to scale.

​Over two days, 30 people – a deliberately small group of impact investors, philanthropists, policy makers, entrepreneurs and others – will examine models already working elsewhere and stress-test ideas in a European context.

​This is the first of three Labs. The goal is a set of financial framework agreements that funders, investors and the European Commission would, in principle, be glad to work through together: a blended capital stack designed to support social innovation.

The RoundTable (16 October, 14:30-19:00)

​This roundtable is a high-level European strategic conversation bringing together funders, investors, philanthropic organisations, policymakers, ecosystem actors and social innovation leaders to explore how Europe can strengthen its financing architecture for mission-oriented social innovation. The event will be followed by networking drinks.

Attending

​Attendance is free, funded by the Social Innovation Mission Facility (SIMF).

Interested? Please submit your Expression of Interest as soon as possible.

As places are limited, participation cannot be guaranteed. Selected applicants will be informed by mid-September whether they have been offered a place.

Submit your Expression of Interest here

We look forward to welcoming a diverse group of participants who are committed to shaping the future of social investment in Europe.

GIIN Impact Forum 2026
2026-10-27 - 2026-10-29
“The GIIN Impact Forum 2026 is the premier annual event for impact investing practitioners, bringing together investors and changemakers from around the world to engage with the ideas and innovations shaping the future of impact investing.

Held this year in the vibrant city of Amsterdam, the forum offers unparalleled opportunities to hear from thought-provoking speakers, participate in interactive sessions and build lasting connections within a dynamic global network. Whether refining strategies, sparking new collaborations or scaling impact, attendees will find the forum to be a gateway to the forefront of a rapidly evolving industry.

Payment and Transaction Policy
Attendees may cancel their registration by providing written notice via email to ee@thegiin.org. For cancellations received on or before July 31, 2026, the Host will issue a refund of the fee, less a $200 administrative fee plus any applicable taxes.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after July 31, 2026. This policy applies regardless of the reason for cancellation, including an attendee’s inability to participate in optional, space-limited programming (e.g., Investor Training, Networking Dinner, or Members Day), at the Host’s discretion.
Attendees may transfer their registration to another individual by submitting a written request via email on or before July 31, 2026, to ee@thegiin.org. Each registration may be transferred only once. All transfers are subject to a $200 administrative fee, plus applicable taxes, per registration. If the original registration was purchased at a discounted rate (including, but not limited to, GIIN member pricing) and the substitute attendee does not meet the applicable eligibility requirements, the difference between the discounted rate and the standard rate will be due at the time of transfer, in addition to the transfer fee. The individual submitting the transfer request remains responsible for all associated fees, including the original registration fee, any applicable rate adjustments, and the administrative transfer fee. The administrative fee will be charged to the payment method on file.” (GIIN Website, 2026).

More information and registration via the GIIN Website: https://events.thegiin.org/event/ImpactForum2026/home

7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity 2026 in Bruges
2026-11-17 - 2026-11-20
The World Conference on Marine Biodiversity 2026 will take place from 17–20 November 2026 at the Concert Hall Bruges in Bruges, Belgium. Organised by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and endorsed as an official UN Ocean Decade Event, this seventh edition brings together scientists, policymakers, conservationists and industry representatives to advance understanding and solutions for the protection and sustainable management of marine ecosystems worldwide.

Under the theme “The marine biodiversity insights we need, for the ocean we want,” the conference will feature presentations, discussions and networking opportunities on emerging research and policy priorities in marine biodiversity conservation.

Registration, abstract submissions and participation details are available on the official World Conference on Marine Biodiversity 2026 website, here: https://www.wcmb2026.org/

ISIRC 2026
2026-12-04 - 2026-12-06
The 18th ISIRC will be held in Asia!
For the first time, the International Social Innovation Research Conference will be held in Asia, hosted by Duy Tan University in the coastal city of Da Nang.

About ISIRC
ISIRC brings together practitioners, policy makers, and scholars from diverse fields interested in social innovation and entrepreneurship. Invited are scholars from a variety of disciplines – including social work, management, technology, design, education, sociology, psychology, engineering, etc. – to join the conference in initiating new debates and developing new solutions to the multiple grand challenges we face.

Key Facts

04-06 December, 2026
Da Nang, Vietnam
Official Website: https://www.isirc2026.org/
