More than 40 participants from more than 20 ideation and early-stage ventures joined the first networking event celebrated in Sicily under GIMED project. Organized by the Community Foundation of Messina (CFM), the Italian partner of GIMED, the event held along two consecutive days was a great chance to create synergies and develop common business opportunities among entrepreneurs. In addition to this, the start-ups could meet relevant investors and financial institutions to have access to finance and develop their ideas, financially speaking, in a sustainable way.

On the 8^th of October, CFM organized the first access to finance event for social and green start-ups. The event took place at the National Research Council of Capo Peloro (Messina), where entrepreneurs met representatives from seven different financial institutions to learn about financial opportunities and financial products. Along the event different products such as an equity crowdfunding instrument, granting and loan systems and impact investment funds were presented, with a closed focus on entrepreneurship and young innovators. All the products presented had in common the support of ideation and start-up projects in developing phases. Last but not least, participants shared a face-to-face session where they could discuss possible collaborations among them.

On the 9^th of October, participants joined a business to business event and presented to each other their business ideas using visual posters and business cards for future contacts. Then, they were divided in seven thematic roundtables focusing on specific subjects such as e-commerce and digital services; responsible consumption and production; sustainable production techniques in the agro-food sector; renewable energies end environmental technology; recycling, reuse and circular economy; responsible tourism and marketing; environmental education and access to science.

On the same day, at the headquarter of the Community Foundation in Capo Peloro, a roundtable among financial institutions and investors was organized. Institutions invited were: Banca Popolare Etica, Coopfond, Cooperazione Finanza Impresa, Invitalia, Sefea Impact, Microcredito per l’Economia Civile, Fondazione con Il Sud and Sefea Holding S.C. In a workshop they basically discussed the main economic issues faced by entrepreneurs in accessing to finance. The goal of this session was designing an investment eco-system with the expertise, tools and connections to best invest in green and social innovative ventures.