Business Forum • 16 October, 2024 at 12:14 PM
The Inner Foundation, a leading non-profit foundation supporting mental health organizations, announces its open funding call for NGOs and startups that are operating in Eastern Europe developing innovative solutions for emerging adults aged 18-30.
The initiative is aimed at non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid-model organizations that have proven solutions to improve mental well-being and a clear plan to scale their impact. The simple and streamlined two-step application process remains open through the end of October. The Inner Foundation will allocate grants ranging from €25,000 to €100,000, tailored to the specific needs of each selected organization.
The priority thematic areas for this initiative include addressing loneliness and promoting social connectedness, fostering healthy digital habits, supporting men's mental health, improving well-being in education and during workplace entry, female reproductive health and its impact on mental wellbeing, strengthening disrupted family systems, and building resilience in the context of climate change.
Annika Sten Pärson, founding partner and executive chair of The Inner Foundation, underlines the importance of this initiative: "Currently, according to the World Health Organization, only 2-5% of the estimated $9.5 trillion in annual global health spending is directed towards mental health. This chronic underfunding directly affects young people, who need support now more than ever. Through our Open Call, we aim to support the changemakers who are proactively strengthening the support system for emerging adults. To give the younger generation the resources they need and the confidence that they can meet today's challenges."
Interested organizations are invited to complete a pre-screening form on the foundation's website. Applications will be reviewed by the end of October and selected projects will receive both financial support, strategic guidance, and access to The Inner Foundation's expert network.
The Inner Foundation is a non-profit foundation dedicated to improving the mental health of emerging adults and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in society. Co-founded in 2021 by Annika Sten Pärson and Pär-Jörgen Pärson, the foundation leverages a catalytic hybrid finance model, blending for-profit and non-profit solutions to drive sustainable, systemic change. With a 20-year commitment to invest over $100 million, The Inner Foundation has built a diverse portfolio of 35+ investments across Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and North America, empowering entrepreneurs and initiatives that address critical mental health challenges globally.