Social Enterprise UK and Big Society Capital are among nine organisations promoting the Community Enterprise Growth Plan, a “once-in-a-decade opportunity” to accelerate growth of social enterprise in underserved communities.
Spain's impact investment market is consolidating according to new research launched at SpainNAB's third annual event, with strong growth from private sector investors but calls for more public sector involvement.
PLUS: Willicroft targets new markets with €2m raise; UK’s CDFI lending jumps by a third in one year; appetite for impact investing rises; Lendahand crowdfunding platform shifts gear; and much more.
Visa’s philanthropic arm to become anchor investor in the Beacon Fund, which invests in underserved, women-led small businesses in South East Asia and aims to grow to US$100m by next year.
BRAC International Microfinance – which provides financial services to ‘bottom-of-the-pyramid’ customers, particularly women living in poverty – set to “grow significantly” and expand into three new countries over the next five years.
Funding will support the plans from the UK’s largest childcare social enterprise to double the number of its nurseries, while award-winning CEO June O’Sullivan praises the flexibility of charity bonds over typical social investment.
A legal breakthrough could influence how £150bn of charity money is invested in England and Wales as trustees are now free to prioritise climate considerations over financial returns.
PLUS: United Nation IFAD pledges $14m for Haitian farmers and fisherfolk; Japan impact investments jump by 250%; DiCaprio and Branson invest in Waterplan; disappointing Dutch performance; and more.
New research published today shows a growing number of players and increased commitments by existing impact investors drive forward impact investment – plus rising interest from Japan’s top banks.
