Periodic Reporting for period 2 - COPERNICUS (SoCial Finance for SOcial EnterPrisEs: TheoRy aNd PractICe to bUild a more incluSive society)
Reporting period: 2022-11-01 to 2023-10-31
During the final reporting period, COPERNICUS has significantly expanded its scientific contribution and successfully completed its objectives. Research activities were finalized through the publication and submission of peer-reviewed journal articles, the development of an international edited volume, participation in leading international conferences, and the establishment of the Laboratory of Excellence for Social and Sustainable Finance at the University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, where the project was officially transferred for the final 11 months of its implementation.
Key scientific outcomes include: the application of bibliometric analysis and grounded theory to map the intellectual landscape of social finance; the development of empirical models linking crowdfunding to social innovation; and a systematic review of FinTech’s role in supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries. COPERNICUS has fully achieved its objectives, contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge, the development of practical tools for SEs, and the consolidation of an international research network. It leaves a lasting legacy in the field of social finance and sustainable development, providing a solid foundation for future research, practical applications, and policy innovation.
The second phase of the project (Months 25–36) was marked by both challenges and achievements. Key results include:
• The establishment of the COPERNICUS Laboratory for Social and Sustainable Finance at UNICZ, which now serves as a permanent institutional hub for research, training, and stakeholder engagement;
• The successful completion of short-term visiting periods at the University of Tours (France) and the University of Waterloo (Canada), leading to new co-authorships and a joint SSHRC grant proposal on fossil fuel divestment;
• The organization of five academic seminars and workshops, two international secondments, and multiple teaching activities within PhD and Master’s programs;
• The refinement and dissemination of empirical models connecting crowdfunding to social innovation, and of bibliometric and content analyses of FinTech’s role in SDG-oriented finance.
COPERNICUS has fulfilled its objectives by producing actionable knowledge, fostering international collaboration, and promoting capacity building in social finance—especially in marginalized EU regions such as Calabria.
• Clarification of the conceptual boundaries of Social Finance and mapping of its intellectual structure through advanced bibliometric and co-word analyses.
• Development of a novel taxonomy of Social Finance, identifying key research gaps and future directions in the field.
• Introduction of the concept of "Impact FinTech", outlining how digital financial solutions can support inclusive growth and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• In-depth studies on the role of crowdfunding and Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) in financing social innovation, especially in disadvantaged regions (Objective 1 areas).
• Exploration of FinTech’s contribution to the SDGs, particularly in developing countries, emphasizing the alignment between financial returns and measurable social impact.
• Establishment of the Laboratory of Excellence for Social and Sustainable Finance at the University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, ensuring long-term institutional impact and continuity of the research.
• Dissemination of results through high-quality scientific publications, conference presentations, and coordination of an international edited volume.