Global Impact Report

2024

Looking back at an unprecedented year, marked by incredible achievements.

2024 was an extraordinary year in all aspects. Several countries in which SIA operates are facing armed conflict and war. Others are struggling with democratic backsliding and economic instability. While this is happening, young people are at the forefront of change, leading movements, building solutions, and challenging the status quo.

For over 15 years, Social Impact Award has been empowering young people to achieve this change through impact-driven entrepreneurial journeys in our international community.

In 2024, we made great steps towards achieving our ambition 2030 by supporting more ventures, creating more active citizens, and expanding our reach around the world. These achievements, highlighted in our report, were made possible by our incredible network of partners, mentors, alumni, and supporters.

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For over a decade, we have stood alongside Social Impact Award in its mission to empower young social innovators. At a time when democracy faces mounting challenges worldwide, it is more crucial than ever to support initiatives that foster civic engagement, social innovation, and resilient communities. This is why we have renewed our commitment for another three years—because investing in the next generation of impact-driven entrepreneurs is one of the most powerful levers for long-term societal change.

Florian Bauer

Executive Director Social Finance & Impact Investing at ERSTE Foundation

Key Outputs

Our 4 areas of activity, driving our vision for a better world.

Fuelling Ventures

Building Skills

Shaping Community

Shifting mindsets

Key Outcome

Fuelling Ventures

We support up-and-coming social innovators in building impact-driven ventures that transform society for the better.

Our incubation transforms innovative ideas into viable social enterprises through personalised mentorship, capacity building workshops, and peer-to-peer support. The most promising ventures receive our award, providing them with the pre-seed funding necessary to cover initial start-up costs.

Solving the Problem

92.3%

of venture teams have a deep understanding of how their product/service can address the challenge they are working to solve.

Awarded Funding

€108,883

Success Story

The story of Andererseits, a leading inclusive journalism platform, in the words of their co-founder Lukas Burnar.

"Almost everything about Andererseits has changed since we participated in SIA in 2021. When joining the programme, we were still far from taking the decision to found a new, independent and inclusive media company. SIA let us dream without shying away from the harsh realities of social entrepreneurship.

These dreams are now becoming reality. Most recently, our collaborative TV show presented by Jan Böhmermann, has allowed our journalism to reach millions of people, shedding light on the dire state of inclusion of people with disabilities in Germany.”

Lukas Burnar

CEO & Co-founder - Andererseits

Key Outcome

Building Skills

We support up-and-coming social innovators in building impact-driven ventures that transform society for the better.

Our offerings are immersive, creating a playground for trial-and-error. Participants get access to mentors and experts from relevant fields with extensive experience in solving challenges unique to early-stage impact venture founders.

Active Citizenship

74%

of participants feel SIA taught them skills useful in other impactful career paths.

Skill Creation

81%

of participants feel SIA workshops helped them acquire new skills.

Corporate Volunteering

The story of Matthias Medert, Global Head of Sustainability at SAP, after 3 years of being a SIA mentor.

Returning to SIA in 2024 was driven by the extraordinary creativity and commitment of young entrepreneurs to sustainability. Their passion aligns with my values and my new role as Global Head of Sustainability at SAP. Mentoring through SIA enables me to support innovations that aim to create a more sustainable and equitable world. It’s a rewarding experience to contribute to projects that embody courage and transformative potential.

Matthias Medert

Global Head of Sustainability - SAP

Key Outcome

Shifting Mindsets

Our stories, told in unique ways, activate young people to start their careers with impact.

We tell stories that position young people as the agents of change they could become. This work takes many forms, from photography exhibitions to video series for social media.

The Impact Blueprint

The world’s first video series on finding purpose as a young person in the 21st century.

395,000

views on YouTube

200

young people started their journey after watching the series

Key Outcome

Shaping Community

A global community of young people, supporting each other to grow in meaningful ways.

Community is what makes SIA special. Whether organised by SIA employees or participants, community events of all kinds are what light SIA’s inner flame.

SIA Summit 2024

Our once-a-year global gathering, celebrating the incredible work of the SIA community, landed for the first time in Germany. Winners from 20 SIA countries, alumni, and experts from the public, private, and civil society sector gathered for 3 days of connection, skill-building workshops, and thought-provoking discussions in Germany.

A Lasting Impact

Thank you for such a unique experience and opportunity. And indeed we left SIA, but SIA will always remain in my heart !!!

Anonymous testimonial

Number of Alumni Ventures

1363

Global Outputs

A growing network, adapting to local realities.

2024 marked SIA’s return to Asia, bringing the program to India for the first time. In another first, SIA expanded to Central America, bringing the program to Mexico.

Local organisers in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda led an innovative effort in the region, hosting the first SIA East Africa Summit, bringing together innovative entrepreneurs from 8 countries to connect and build solutions to their local challenges.

Social Impact Award is proudly hosted by Impact Hub Hyderabad, the only Impact Hub in India, uniquely positioning us to foster social innovation nationwide. Launching SIA India, our first flagship initiative, was a milestone—engaging 100+ social innovators in just two weeks. This journey amplifies India's presence in the global impact ecosystem, and we're excited for major contributions in 2025.

Anusha Kashapally

Coordinator of Social Impact Award India

Joining the Social Impact Award has been an incredible milestone for Impact Hub Monterrey in 2024! In our first year, we received over 60 applications and supported more than 200 young changemakers across the country. They are not just building careers—they are creating solutions for real challenges in their communities!

Alfredo Villalonga

Co-founder of Impact Hub Monterrey

SIA has been a breakthrough for our venture. It has given us visibility to the world, helping us raise awareness about the issues we face, and broadened our network. I really appreciate SIA for creating a free environment where entrepreneurs from different countries can come together, grow, and learn from each other.

East Africa Summit Participant