New facts and figures about size and characteristics of Ireland’s social enterprises expose their strengths as well as the challenges facing the sector, as ministers plan next national social enterprise policy.
Maggie O'Carroll was once told to get herself “a little job”. Instead, she set up The Women's Organisation – sparking over 4,000 new businesses. She speaks to us about Brexit, social investment headaches – and going beyond “vanity” metrics.
PLUS: Resonance makes raft of SITR investments ahead of crunch time for relief scheme; first impact fund for French investment firm Founders Future; Dutch social impact bond repays investors; new Conduit EIS Impact Fund; and more.
PLUS: Blue Impact Fund first of its kind in UK; Germany's EIF-backed social innovation fund; Bain Capital raises $800m for second impact investing fund; Los Angeles' Everytable raises $16m in Series B round; and more.
With a third of the world’s adults still unbanked, the work of credit unions remains as relevant as ever – and their true impact on communities and the public purse may be significant, as two recent social value analyses demonstrate.
The head of Ireland’s Social Innovation Fund on the health worker who opened her eyes to the needs of a marginalised group – and who proved that some forms of innovation are a slow burn.
Bite-sized stories this week from the impact economy around the world: a “historic shift” among impact investors on impact measurement, insights on family giving, Starbucks backs coffee cup recycling drive, and more.
PLUS: US philanthropy heavyweights back new ‘Tipping Point Fund’; new blended finance agribusiness fund makes first investment, UK universities set up responsible investment network, and more.
Bite-sized stories this week: Businesses pledge big at climate talks, UK construction firm Wates hits £20m social spending target, a new law in Cyprus, grants windfall for Irish projects and a market first in recycled materials for water company Belu.
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