How we work
Methodology.
Our methodology is designed to keep the European Impact Map relevant, accurate, and transparent. This page explains how we decide what to list, how we tag it, and how we keep it up to date.
What we list
The map features impact ventures - ventures making measurable, intentional contributions to society or the environment that can be mapped against one of the 15 impact categories and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. See our eligibility criteria for the full requirements.
Which countries are covered?
The European Impact Map covers ventures headquartered in 47 European countries. The full scope definition is part of our eligibility criteria.
Review process
We review every submission within 5 business days.
- 1
Submission
Only a founding team member or shareholder of the venture can submit a listing through the public submission form. Submitters confirm this with a founder attestation and provide the basic information we need to evaluate the listing: legal name, country of registration, website, category, purpose statement, SDGs, and contact details.
- 2
Eligibility check
We verify that the venture meets our published eligibility criteria - a registered legal entity inside our geographic scope, a clearly stated impact mission, and verifiable public information. Every listing's registry number is verified against public registers - via the European Business Registers Interconnection System (BRIS) where available, and national commercial, charity and NGO registers elsewhere. Where the submitter's email domain does not match the venture's website, the reviewer confirms control of the domain (a DNS TXT record is available as a fallback).
- 3
Category & SDG tagging
Submitters select one of the 15 impact categories curated by Public Value Hub, up to five official subcategories, and between one and four UN Sustainable Development Goals; reviewers confirm all three before publication. SDG mappings are indicative alignments, not an assessed impact measurement.
- 4
Publication & re-review
Approved listings are published on the map and browsable by country, category, and SDG. We periodically re-review listings to keep information accurate, and respond to correction requests on a rolling basis.
Two review tracks
Public tier
The default track for every submission. Public-tier listings pass an eligibility check on the venture's legal entity, geographic scope, public website, and a plausibility read of the stated purpose. Public-tier listings show baseline information and are the majority of the directory.
Verified tier
Ventures that pass an extended plausibility review - deeper registry checks, business-model coherence, evidence of the stated impact activities, and re-verification on a fixed cadence - are promoted to the Verified tier by a reviewer. Verified listings carry a Verified badge and are eligible for additional surfaces across the directory.
SDG mappings are self-selected by the submitter and confirmed by a reviewer. They are indicative alignments, not an assessed impact measurement.
Sources of information
We rely on three primary sources: the submission form completed by a founding team member or shareholder of the venture, the venture's own public website and materials, and public registers. Every listing's registry number is verified against public registers - via the European Business Registers Interconnection System (BRIS) where available, and national commercial, charity and NGO registers elsewhere.
Corrections & removals
Ventures listed on the map can request edits, additions, or removal at any time. Email contact@europeanimpactmap.com and we'll respond within a reasonable timeframe.
Are you a founder or shareholder of an eligible venture?
Submissions are free, and we review every one.