News and Views

This week: Ashoka’s Bill Drayton awarded ‘global treasure’ status by Skoll, how Ukraine’s social entrepreneurs defy the rockets, the least popular SDG for impact investors revealed, and more.

From tracking underwater creatures to optimising crop yields, many entrepreneurs now use AI to tackle environmental challenges. But, with much uncertainty – and concerns about AI’s negative impact – they’re entering unknown waters.

After four years of consultation alongside regular criticism of the certification requirements, B Lab contends that its new model meets the needs of a world facing a climate crisis, growing inequality and increasing corporate regulatory complexity.

Autocracy is on the rise, freedom of speech is under threat and trust in institutions is declining. But impact investors could play a bigger role in defending democracy. This was the topic under discussion at last week’s Impact Fire Talk, hosted by FASE.

Many discussions at the 2025 Skoll World Forum centred on the impact of the latest edicts from the White House. While anxieties prevailed, some emphasised the positives. This week’s view from the Pioneers Post newsroom.

Founder Jeff Skoll launches emergency fund in response to US government ‘efficiencies’, while MacArthur Foundation president urges other funders to follow its lead in releasing more funds during Donald Trump’s presidency.

Speaking alongside Mary Robinson at the Skoll World Forum 2025, the world’s youngest Nobel prizewinner warns that women’s rights everywhere could be vulnerable to attack by oppressive regimes. 

Pioneers Post takes the WISE100 awards to Scotland for the first time.

Find out who won the 2025 WISE100 awards, held in a ceremony in Glasgow – the first time that the awards have been held outside London.