The EIB Institute, together with PortusPark, a network of incubators and science and technology parks, and in partnership with the Municipality of Amarante (Northern Portugal), the Intermunicipal Community of Tâmega and Sousa, and the Instituto Empresarial do Tâmega, has launched IRIS, a Regional Social Innovation Incubator to foster regional development through social innovation.

Headquartered in the Tâmega Business Institute, IRIS will offer all the necessary conditions for accessing knowledge, networks of partnerships and social investors, turning Amarante and the Tâmega and Sousa region into an EU benchmark for starting up, testing and growing new social entrepreneurship initiatives.

The Institute supports social innovation and entrepreneurs who aim to generate a social impact (targeting social, ethical or environmental goals) or seek to create and sustain social value, typically related to unemployment, marginalisation of disadvantaged communities and access to education and other basic services.

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