ESG reporting template
Conceptual Framework
Building on key ESG reporting frameworks and legislation relevant to European private equity and venture capital practitioners, the Invest Europe ESG Reporting Template aims to harmonise and streamline ESG data collection and investor reporting. Originally developed in 2022, it provides a unified set of ESG reporting KPIs across the three ESG dimensions, applicable at portfolio company, fund and GP levels.
The template is also included in EFRAG’s Mapping of Digital Platforms and Initiatives, reflecting its place among the initiatives supporting sustainability reporting across the European market.
In 2026, the template underwent a fourth, targeted review. Rather than introducing structural changes, the review focused on consolidation, consistency and usability. The objectives were to:
enhance proportionality;
maintain alignment, to the extent possible given ongoing regulatory developments, with other industry initiatives and applicable EU legislation;
improve user-friendliness and usability;
address remaining ambiguities and improve clarity, focusing on metrics that are actively tracked, monitored and used; and
reflect recent market trends and developments, as appropriate.
For each proposed change, the value of introducing it was carefully weighed against the benefits of maintaining a consistent historical ESG dataset.
To maximise comparability, users should follow the definitions and guidance provided in the template on how each metric should be understood and calculated. Further practical guidance on using the template is included in the Excel file itself.
Additional metrics may be added over time, either to this template or to a more advanced version, to reflect evolving market practices, regulatory developments (e.g. future changes arising from the review of the EU SFDR or changes to the EU Taxonomy Regulation), and other relevant developments.
In relevant markets additional logos can be added from the endorsing market participants or associations. The usage and relevance of these logos are also entirely the company’s own responsibility.
Machine Readable Format
In partnership with Reframe Venture
This white-label, machine-readable ESG reporting template matches precisely the 2025/2026 Invest Europe ESG Reporting Template. Its goal is to facilitate ESG data collection and make ESG reporting seamless across different reporting software platforms.
The machine-readable format would not have been possible without the development of an earlier version — the 2023/2024 template — developed by Atlas Metrics for KfW Capital.
This version was developed by Reframe Venture in partnership with Invest Europe and a consortium of ESG software platforms.
Quick links
CSV specifications:
Fund-level Specification (v2.0)
GP-level Specification (v2.0)
Validator source code (web app to run locally)
A complete overview of technical specifications can be found here. For any further information, please click here.
How to become a supported platform?
Invest Europe will maintain a live list of ‘supported platforms' on this website - only these platforms will have permission to say in their own marketing and website that they support the Invest Europe template.
To become a supported platform, you will need to enter into a cooperation agreement and be approved by Invest Europe.
If you're interested in kicking off this process, please complete this 'Request for Approval' Form. More information on the actual approval process can be found here.
For any further information or queries on the MRF, please feel free to reach out to professionalstandards@investeurope.eu.
Supported by
* Includes the option for GPs to export their data directly in the Invest Europe template.
** AI capability to import (and re-use) data, though not exactly the MRF import feature.
*** Export - All users can export their entire dataset to Excel, Word or PDF and choose whether they want to export at a GP, fund or overall level including portfolio holdings. Data can also be exported into an Invest Europe file format for those GPs who would rather complete the template digitally.
Import - Import is available via standard Excel or generative AI document scraping using existing Invest Europe templates and/or other data sources such as EDCI, sustainability and transparency reports.
MRF - Machine readable via Dasseti smart docs AI tool.
**** Though not fully automated – requiring the completion of some steps
***** Can export data from questionnaire in Excel format, but in the format of the ESGA questionnaire, not the Invest Europe template
****** Excel exports, PDF exports and API integration / Import of company data including spend, contact person, and other details.
******* Users can export their data, either fully or partially, to Excel, applying filters as needed by questionnaire type or entity (GP, Fund, Portfolio companies). It is also possible to create an ad-hoc template to match the Invest Europe export format.
******** Users can perform an import by uploading a data-filled import matrix into the tool, allowing multiple entities (funds, portfolio companies…) to be imported at once. It is also possible to create an ad-hoc import template matching the Invest Europe format.
********* Supported via Excel and available in Invest Europe format for PC level and GP level for now.
********** Via AI import, not specifically MRF.
*********** Users can export their data, either fully or partially, to Excel, applying filters as needed by questionnaire type or entity (GP, Fund, Portfolio companies). It is also possible to create an ad-hoc template to match the Invest Europe export format.
************ On demand. Matteriality’s position is flexible regarding this functionality, although users are encouraged to complete questionnaires directly on the platform and remain autonomous.
Previous editions
Explore all sections of the guide
Reporting template and tools
ESG reporting template ESG life cycle tool SFDR tools TCFD tools Timelines
Mapping of voluntary frameworks and standards
Definitions and distinctions Who is who Scope of information
Deep dive for VCs and investors
ESG reporting from a VC perspective ESG reporting from an investor perspective
