ESG reporting template
Conceptual Framework
Building on key ESG reporting frameworks relevant to European private equity and venture capital practitioners, this voluntary ESG Reporting Template aims to facilitate and harmonise ESG data collection and investor reporting. Originally developed in 2022, this fourth iteration includes reporting recommendations across the three ESG dimensions at the portfolio company, GP, and fund levels.
In 2023, the template was refreshed for the first time to make it more suitable for scaling purposes and to take relevant regulatory and market developments into account. In 2024, the template went through another round of review, mainly aimed at increasing proportionality for the smaller end of the market and enhancing alignment with EU legislation and other industry initiatives.
In 2025, the template underwent a third, small-scale review. The objectives were to:
consolidate and fine-tune only where necessary, addressing ambiguities and enhancing materiality and user-friendliness – with a focus on metrics that are actively tracked, monitored, and used;
ensure continued alignment with other industry initiatives and EU legislation, to the extent possible given ongoing regulatory developments; and
reflect recent market trends and developments, as appropriate.
In order to achieve maximum comparability, users of this template should follow the definitions and guidance included herein on how the metrics should be understood and calculated. Additional, concrete guidance on how to use this template is included in the Excel file itself.
More metrics may be added over time, either in this template or in a more advanced version 5.0., to reflect evolving market practices, regulatory developments, and/or other circumstances and events.
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
