The purpose of the assignment is to conduct research into the best way to implement a public-private social innovation fund and to test this fund in practice.

The purpose of the assignment is to conduct research into the best way to implement a public-private social innovation fund and to test this fund in practice. This is to encourage people with disabilities to find a job with an employer. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment has spoken with various stakeholders about the simplification of the Job Agreement Act and the quota for people with disabilities (hereinafter: the Job Agreement Act). These discussions showed that there was a willingness among employers to develop an inclusive workplace. It also turned out that employers are currently experiencing barriers to invest in (innovative) adjustments in advance to make the company (primary process) suitable for (a larger number of) people with an occupational disability. Frequently heard thresholds are the possible administrative burdens, the complex processes and the getting around of the finances of an investment prior to the placement. It is currently only possible to receive individual workplace adjustments from public funds after the placement has been effected. Compensation for the target group's reduced wage value is also aimed at individual employees after someone has been hired.

This barrier can be removed if employers are encouraged and facilitated to invest to make work processes suitable for people with disabilities before these workers are hired. A public-private social innovation fund (SIF) could be a way to achieve this. A fund can ensure in various ways that the financing of these investments is balanced. A fund can also clarify the necessary administration and processes surrounding an investment and support employers. By seeking cooperation between the public and private sector, the impact of a fund can be increased, in both scope and financial resources.

SZW commissioned exploratory research into the need of employers for a public-private fund. It has also been investigated whether this fund can solve the gaps in the current range of instruments. This study shows that employers with the existing instruments indeed experience barriers to making large investments. The study confirms that a SIF may be able to remove these thresholds and that employers need a SIF. Banks and other private financiers are not easily inclined to finance this type of investment because the business case is not correct. Employers also indicate that they sometimes lack knowledge about the target group. That is why good cooperation between labor market regions, employers, SW companies, municipalities and UWV is essential.

SZW considers it important that all people, including those with an occupational disability, can work for a regular employer. For this reason, SZW finds it interesting to further explore how a SIF can be designed. That is why SZW has prepared this Descriptive Document. The aim of the SIF is to bring together demand for financing and supply of financing so that employers can make investments to help people with disabilities find work.