Impact Investing: a Primer and Review of the Literature

This primer provides a comprehensive review of the literature on impact investing, serving as an introduction to the field for researchers and practitioners. It explores the intersection of entrepreneurship, social enterprise, and finance, highlighting impact investing’s role in supporting social entrepreneurship. The article synthesizes key definitions, concepts, and debates within the evolving landscape of social finance.

Impact Investing: a Preliminary Analysis of Emergent Primary and Secondary Exchange Platforms

This article presents a preliminary analysis of emergent primary and secondary exchange platforms for impact investing. It explores the development of social finance markets and the role of these platforms in facilitating transactions for social enterprises. The paper discusses how these new market infrastructures are shaping the landscape of impact investing, enhancing liquidity and accessibility for impact-focused capital.

Social Bonds: the Social Bond Market -towards a New Asset Class?

This paper investigates whether the social bond market is evolving into a distinct new asset class. It examines the growth, characteristics, and regulatory landscape surrounding social bonds, particularly their role for public sector entities and in shaping investor practices. The report analyses the potential for social bonds to attract greater investment and contribute to sustainable development, assessing the market’s maturity and its future as a recognizable investment category.

Impact Investing: a Brief History

This paper provides a brief history of impact investing, tracing its origins and evolution. It discusses the foundational concepts, including the pursuit of both financial returns and explicit impact goals or outcomes. The article outlines key milestones and developments in the field, offering a concise overview of how impact investing has emerged as a distinct approach within the broader financial landscape.

Sibs Can Make Development Spending More Effective

This blog post argues that Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) can significantly enhance the effectiveness of development spending. It explains how SIBs link payments to the achievement of pre-defined outcomes, shifting the focus from inputs to measurable results. The author highlights how this innovative financing mechanism incentivizes efficient program delivery and fosters greater accountability, ultimately leading to more impactful and sustainable development outcomes in various sectors.

Impact Investing in the Energy Sector

This Stanford University case study examines impact investing within the energy sector, focusing on program-related investments, innovation, and philanthropy. It explores how capital is deployed to support sustainable energy solutions and drive positive environmental and social impact. The report highlights the interplay between financial strategies and philanthropic efforts in accelerating innovation within the energy landscape.

Catalytic Power Europe: Blended Finance in European External Action

This article analyses blended finance as an instrument of “catalytic power” in European external action, defined as mobilizing partners and resources for external objectives. It argues that while financial leverage was the original motivation, blended finance increasingly facilitates cooperation with other European and multilateral financial institutions, positioning the European Commission as a central node in international cooperation. The study highlights its role in expanding European influence beyond regulatory capacities.

Impact Investing in South Africa: Managing Tensions Between Financial Returns and Social Impact

This article explores the tensions faced by impact investors in South Africa when managing the dual objectives of financial returns and social impact. It examines how investors navigate the trade-offs and synergies between these two goals within the unique South African market. The paper offers insights into strategies for balancing profitability with social good in emerging market impact investing.

Building Scale in Community Impact Investing Through Nonfinancial Performance Measurement

This case study examines the role of nonfinancial performance measurement in scaling community impact investing. It explores how effectively tracking social and environmental outcomes, beyond financial returns, can attract more capital and enhance the impact of community development initiatives. The paper discusses frameworks and strategies for measuring and reporting nonfinancial results to build investor confidence and foster sustainable growth in the sector.

Impact Investing in Biodiversity Conservation with Bonds: an Analysis of Financial and Environmental Risk

This article analyses the application of impact investing in biodiversity conservation through the use of bonds, specifically examining financial and environmental risks. It explores conservation finance, green bonds, and the dynamics of hybrid organizing and institutional logics in sustainable finance. The study provides insights into structuring financial instruments that effectively mobilise capital for environmental protection while managing associated risks.
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