The European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks and Financiers (FEBEA) recently held a board meeting for the first time in Northern Ireland.
The federation represents 28 European social finance institutions with assets totalling €30bn.
It was invited to Northern Ireland by its only UK and Irish member, the Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT Group).
The FEBEA learned about the UCIT Group's business model and also visited the East Side Partnership, which has received UCIT funding to support projects including the Enler Complex in Ballybeen and Bryson Street Surgery.
FEBEA Chairman, Pedro Manuel Sasia Santos, said: "Northern Ireland has a vibrant social enterprise sector and UCIT has an exceptionally strong community focus in areas such as sport and faith-based initiatives which many of our members are interested in replicating."
