• Case Study

Delineating Social Finance

  • Source : International Review of Financial Analysis
  • 1 January 2020
This article aims to delineate the concept of social finance, distinguishing it from traditional finance and related fields. It explores various components, including impact investments, social enterprises, and venture philanthropy, as integral parts of the social economy. The author seeks to provide a clearer understanding of the scope and characteristics of social finance, emphasizing its unique blend of financial and social objectives and its role in addressing societal challenges.
  • Case Study

Blended Finance and Its Potential for Development Cooperation

  • Source : Austrian Foundation for Development Research (ÖFSE)
  • 3 June 2018
This report analyses the concept of blended finance and its potential role within development cooperation, with a specific focus on Austria’s engagement. It critically assesses the opportunities and risks, questioning whether blended finance effectively targets poverty reduction and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper examines the influence of private sector priorities and highlights the danger of Official Development Assistance (ODA) being diverted to de-risk private investments that might have occurred anyway. It recommends a cautious approach, emphasizing transparency, strong development criteria, and alignment with partner country priorities.
  • Case Study

Blended Finance: Implications for Supervisors

  • Source : Toronto Centres
  • 1 January 2021
This report, aimed at financial supervisors and regulators, unpacks the key implications of the growing blended finance market. It explores how these complex financing structures affect financial stability, consumer protection, and institutional risk management within supervised entities. The paper highlights the urgent need for supervisors to build their capacity to understand and oversee blended finance activities within their jurisdictions. It emphasizes the importance of clear regulatory frameworks and effective coordination between development finance institutions (DFIs) and supervisory agencies to foster a responsible and sustainable blended finance ecosystem.
  • Case Study

Developing an Ecosystem of Social Finance: Québec’s Experience

  • Source : C.I.T.I.E.S.
  • 1 January 2018
This report outlines Québec’s experience in developing a comprehensive ecosystem for social finance, focusing on the role of social economy institutions, tools, and instruments. It details the strategies employed to foster a supportive environment for social enterprises and impact investments. The authors provide insights into how policy frameworks, financial mechanisms, and collaborative initiatives have contributed to building a robust social finance landscape in Québec.
  • Case Study

Base Alternatives and the Paradigm of Impact Investing Development in the Coordinates of Globalisation Changes and Euro Integration

  • Source : International Conference on European Integration
  • 3 March 2018
This paper explores the theoretical foundations and practical mechanisms of impact investing within the dual contexts of globalisation and European integration. It analyses how impact investing serves as a critical alternative to traditional investment paradigms by intentionally integrating social and environmental objectives with financial returns. The authors examine the evolution of the impact investing ecosystem, outlining key strategies, actors, and the emerging regulatory frameworks that shape the field. The paper emphasizes the need for innovative development mechanisms and strong public-private partnerships to effectively scale up impact capital.
  • Case Study

Blended Finance in Action in Asia

  • Source : Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society
  • 1 February 2022
This report explores the practical application and significant potential of blended finance in Asia, showcasing how it can be used to address pressing social and environmental challenges across the region. Through detailed case studies and analysis, it illustrates how philanthropy can play a catalytic role in bridging funding gaps by de-risking investments for private sector actors. The paper examines various instruments and partnership models, providing actionable insights for philanthropists, investors, and social enterprises on structuring effective blended finance deals to successfully scale impact in diverse Asian markets.
  • Case Study

Fixing Fictions Through Blended Finance: the Entrepreneurial Ensemble and Risk Interpretation in the Blue Economy

  • Source : Geoforum
  • 1 February 2021
This article explores how blended finance can address challenges within the Blue Economy, particularly focusing on entrepreneurial ensembles and their interpretation of risk. It investigates how innovative financial structures facilitate sustainable development by bridging financing gaps for ocean-related initiatives. The research delves into the dynamics of risk perception and management among diverse stakeholders, highlighting how blended finance instruments can mobilise capital for environmentally and socially impactful projects in the marine sector.
  • Case Study

The Geographies of Social Finance: Poverty Regulation Through the ‘invisible Heart’ of Markets

  • Source : Progress in Human Geography 2019, Vol. 43(1) 141–162
  • 2 October 2017
This article critically examines the emerging field of social finance, arguing that it represents a form of poverty regulation embedded within financialised capitalism. It proposes that social finance reframes private profit-making as a force for public good, attempting to resolve capitalism’s inherent contradictions from within. The paper outlines a typology of social finance forms and suggests a geographical research agenda, emphasizing that practitioners’ simplistic geographical framings obscure the complex spatial dynamics constituting this emerging financial marketplace and its logic of poverty regulation.
  • Case Study

Assessing Mission Drift at Venture Capital Impact Investors

  • Source : Business Ethics
  • 4 March 2017
This article examines how impact investing venture capital firms navigate the inherent tension between their social missions and prevailing market pressures. Using an institutional logics perspective, it analyses the competing demands from the social sector, which prioritizes measurable impact, and the market sector, which emphasizes financial returns. Through a detailed case study of a US-based impact VC firm, the study identifies the specific hybrid practices and organizational behaviors these firms adopt to balance these conflicting logics. It highlights the constant negotiation required to prevent “mission drift” and successfully integrate dual objectives.
  • Case Study

Increasing Positive Climate Impact by Combining Anti Consumption and Consumption Changes with Impact Investing

  • Source : Sustainable Development
  • 1 January 2020
This article proposes a novel approach to climate change mitigation by combining anti-consumption and consumption changes with impact investing. It addresses the risk of rebound effects, where money saved from reduced consumption leads to GHG emissions elsewhere. The study develops a method to calculate potential “double impacts” by ensuring saved funds are invested in climate-mitigating actions. It quantifies GHG emission reduction potentials for various anti-consumption strategies and impact investments, highlighting the need for this dual consideration.
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