Dr Chih Hoong Sin welcomes the UK government’s rediscovered enthusiasm for outcomes funds with the launch of the world’s biggest fund of this type. But we should look beyond its impressive size to focus upon how it can best optimise impact.
Our demand for more and more clothes is bad news for the planet. New, nature-derived materials promise a lighter footprint – but can they convince price-conscious shoppers, investors and retailers to take a leap into the unknown?
In 2024, Livv Housing Group launched Livv and Flourish, a £4.25m social impact investment fund for the Liverpool City Region. Blackburne House CEO Andrea Rushton shares the story of her charity’s social investment with Livv.
Important questions asked amid the enthusiasm of this week's Social Enterprise World Forum, where a new global social enterprise brand is launched. Plus, our columnist calls for closer scrutiny of impact event sponsors everywhere.
Concerns about virtue-signalling and purpose-washing are widespread – and sometimes justified – in the conference circuit. Big claims or good intentions are no longer enough: sponsors must do all they can to prove their commitment.
SEWF23: Verification scheme launched at this week's Social Enterprise World Forum aims to overcome cultural and language differences, to provide clear identity for businesses focused on positive purpose.
SEWF23: The impact economy is the future. Or is it? In a debate at this week's Social Enterprise World Forum in Amsterdam, progressive economy heavyweights Erinch Sahan and Katie Hill squared up to test the strengths of their theories.
Social enterprise is a significant force in the UK economy – but available data is still incomplete and even contradictory. Tim Thorlby pinpoints three questions to explore, and calls for robust, detailed data-gathering by the government.
Blended finance is no magic wand – and there's little reason to use it in most of Asia, one expert says. Plus, more positive sentiments from speakers at this week's gathering in Spain – but a plea for “more African representation” next time.
SAP, Johnson & Johnson and Siemens among six big-name backers of campaign delivered by SEUK-backed startup Telos – which aims to highlight the “opportunities rather than risks” of supply chains.
Low-key government announcement of latest £350m dormant assets funding allocation falls short of what social investment leaders had been campaigning for, as money will be evenly split between four ‘good causes’.
Fondo de Impacto Social – or Social Impact Fund – is announced at the GSG Global Impact Summit with an aim to further boost Spain’s thriving impact investment market.
