EUSL FOUNDATION
For an inclusive society, driven by the private sector
How we solve our times largest challenge in society
Part of World Social Label Charity
Care to Change the World
Introduction
EUSL Foundation is an independent legal entity established under Swedish law, dedicated to transforming purpose-driven surplus into measurable social impact. The Foundation was created by European Social Label (EUSL) to advance societal inclusion and equity across Sweden, Europe, and beyond. Its mandate is rooted in the principle that sustainable integration and social progress are best achieved through collaboration between the private sector and civil society.
The Foundation receives surplus funds from EUSL EU and other membership-based organizations within the WOSL Group. These funds are ring-fenced and allocated exclusively to social initiatives that strengthen communities, reduce inequality, and foster participation. What makes EUSL Foundation unique is its governance model: decisions on how funds are deployed are made locally, through democratic ballots at the Market Area level. This ensures that the people and businesses closest to the challenges—those who know the families struggling to make ends meet, the children without access to education, and the local clubs in need of support—are the ones who decide what matters most.
The Foundation serves as a transparent fiduciary, safeguarding assets and ensuring compliance with its Deed and applicable law. It does not impose top-down priorities; instead, it empowers members to shape social investments in their own communities. This governance model is designed to uphold the principle of subsidiarity, ensuring that decisions are made as close as possible to the people they affect. By decentralizing control, the Foundation eliminates the perception of distant authority and fosters trust among stakeholders. Every allocation is preceded by a Market Area Ballot, where eligible members vote on proposals that reflect local needs and aspirations. This process is supported by secure digital infrastructure, guaranteeing integrity, privacy, and verifiability in every decision. Through these measures, the Foundation transforms surplus into a democratic instrument for social progress, reinforcing accountability and transparency at every stage.
Social Initiatives in Society
EUSL Foundation exists to ensure that social investments are not dictated from a distant center but shaped by the communities they serve. Every initiative funded by the Foundation begins with a simple principle: it must be locally relevant and aligned with the Market Areas defined within the EUSL framework. This guarantees that resources flow to projects that reflect real needs—whether it is supporting families in hardship, improving access to education, or strengthening local associations that foster inclusion and well-being.
The process is open and participatory. Anyone—individuals, organizations, or companies—may submit proposals for consideration. These proposals are then reviewed for compliance with legal and fiduciary standards before being presented to members for a democratic vote. Only members of the relevant Market Area have the right to decide which initiatives will be funded, ensuring that decisions remain rooted in local knowledge and priorities. This model empowers communities, promotes transparency, and reinforces the principle that social progress is most effective when driven by those closest to the challenges.
Through this approach, EUSL Foundation transforms surplus from purpose-driven enterprises into tangible impact, while maintaining accountability and fairness. By combining open proposal submission with member-controlled ballots, the Foundation creates a governance system that is inclusive, transparent, and resilient. It is not about imposing a vision from above; it is about enabling communities to shape their own future, supported by a structure that guarantees integrity and compliance at every step.
Purpose and Fiduciary Duty
The Foundation’s purpose is to allocate surplus funds received from EUSL EU and other membership-based entities within the WOSL Group to social initiatives and investments that advance societal welfare. These allocations are determined through a democratic process at the Market Area level, ensuring that decisions reflect the priorities of the communities in which the impact will occur.
The Board of Trustees bears ultimate fiduciary responsibility for safeguarding the Foundation’s assets, ensuring compliance with the Deed, and upholding all statutory obligations. The Board may intervene to halt or amend a project only where there is a documented legal, fiduciary, or safety concern, and such intervention must be accompanied by a public statement of reasons.
Democratic Control and Market Area Ballots
The Foundation implements a governance model grounded in the principle of subsidiarity. Decisions regarding the allocation of funds for social projects are made through Market Area Ballots, in which only eligible members of the relevant Market Area may participate. This mechanism ensures that local communities exercise control over local investments, thereby preventing centralized or top-down decision-making.
Each ballot is conducted in accordance with the Foundation’s Ballot Protocol, which specifies eligibility criteria, voting procedures, quorum requirements, and dispute resolution mechanisms. The principle of “one member, one vote” applies unless otherwise provided in the Protocol and disclosed in advance.
Legal Status and Foundation Deed
EUSL Foundation is an independent legal entity established under the provisions of the Swedish Foundation Act (Stiftelselagen 1994:1220). The Foundation’s assets are irrevocably dedicated to the purposes set forth in its Deed of Foundation, which constitutes the primary legal instrument governing its operations. The Foundation is registered with the relevant Swedish authority and operates in full compliance with applicable national and European Union legislation, including but not limited to the General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679).
The Foundation’s assets are ring-fenced and may not be distributed for private gain. All disbursements must serve the objectives defined in the Deed and adhere to the principles of transparency, accountability, and democratic participation.
Local Ballots and Community Empowerment
Beyond its fiduciary role, EUSL Foundation provides a platform for businesses to demonstrate leadership in social responsibility. Companies that participate in or support community-driven projects gain visibility in socially integrative contexts, strengthening their reputation and market position while contributing to systemic change. This approach embodies the concept of Charity as a Business: a model where purpose-driven enterprises generate surplus and reinvest it democratically to create tangible, local impact. By aligning commercial success with social equity, the Foundation bridges the gap between profit and purpose, proving that economic growth and societal well-being are not mutually exclusive but mutually reinforcing. In doing so, EUSL Foundation advances its ultimate vision—a society that is more inclusive, equitable, and resilient, where every stakeholder has both a voice and a vested interest in shaping the future.
Strategic Vision
EUSL Foundation is not merely a funding body; it is the spearhead of a broader transformation. Our ambition is to build a self-sustaining ecosystem for social integration—one that empowers communities and challenges outdated structures that have struggled to deliver inclusion at scale. By complementing and relieving existing systems, we enable them to focus on their core strengths while we address the urgent need for equitable participation. This dual approach—solving today’s greatest social challenges and reinforcing institutional capacity—defines the Foundation’s role as a catalyst for systemic change.
Charity as a Business
Charity as a Business is a transformative model that redefines the relationship between commerce and social responsibility. It is built on the principle that purpose-driven enterprises can generate surplus not for private gain, but for reinvestment into society through transparent and democratic mechanisms. EUSL Foundation stands at the forefront of this paradigm shift. As the fiduciary arm of European Social Label, the Foundation channels surplus from member organizations into locally governed social initiatives, ensuring that impact is both measurable and community-driven. By combining the efficiency of the private sector with the inclusivity of democratic decision-making, Charity as a Business creates a self-sustaining ecosystem where economic success and social equity reinforce one another. Through this model, EUSL Foundation is not merely funding projects—it is spearheading a movement that challenges traditional charity structures and builds a future where business growth and societal well-being coexist as inseparable objectives.
Where we operate
EUSL Foundation is designed to work where impact matters most—at the local level. Our governance model divides each country into Market Areas that reflect its administrative or regional structure. Sweden, as the first implementation country, is organized into 21 Market Areas corresponding to its counties. This ensures that every decision on social investment remains locally anchored and free from centralized control.
This structure is not limited to Sweden. As European Social Label expands across Europe, the same principle applies: each country will have its own Market Areas, enabling members to vote on initiatives that directly affect their communities. The model is scalable and replicable, forming the basis for similar frameworks under AFSL (African Social Label Foundation) and other regional entities. In every case, transparency is paramount. Members can easily see which businesses belong to their Market Area, how surplus funds are allocated, and which projects are approved—all through a secure, accessible platform.
Membership and Impact
The strength of EUSL Foundation lies in its members. Every social initiative funded by the Foundation is made possible by businesses and individuals who choose to participate in a purpose-driven ecosystem. Membership is not just a financial contribution—it is a partnership that creates measurable impact while delivering tangible benefits to members.
Today, EUSL offers five distinct membership categories, tailored to different roles and ambitions within the social economy. Whether you are an SME seeking local visibility, a corporation aiming to strengthen its ESG profile, or an individual committed to social equity, there is a membership model designed for you. Each membership unlocks access to services that enhance growth and reputation, including strategic branding, marketing opportunities, and participation in high-impact projects that resonate with communities.
By joining EUSL, members become part of a larger movement—one that redefines how business and society interact. Surplus generated through purpose-driven operations flows into EUSL Foundation, where it is reinvested democratically at the Market Area level. This creates a cycle of shared value: businesses grow, communities thrive, and society moves toward greater inclusion and resilience.
