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Joanna Reynolds

Village Co-op - 0 views

www.villageco-op.org

social finance

shared by Joanna Reynolds on 02 Mar 12 - No Cached
  • Joanna Reynolds on 02 Mar 12
     
    WELCOME to the Village Co-op website! This emerging worker-farmer-community local food co-operative is based in Portsmouth Village, Kingston, Ontario. The Village Co-op's vision is to offer a range of value-added local organic products while engaging and educating our community on seasonal eating, sustainable farming, fair trade, food justice and feeding ourselves as a region.
adamspence

Selling up without selling out | Social enterprise network | Guardian Professional - 0 views

www.guardian.co.uk/...selling-up-without-selling-out

uk impact investing social

shared by adamspence on 10 May 11 - No Cached
  • Ben and Jerry's ice cream sold to Unilever and Seeds of Change sold to Mars in the US. Closer to home, The Body Shop sold to L'Oreal and Green & Blacks sold to Cadburys.
  • The sales of these businesses have certainly generated rich financial rewards for the entrepreneurs that founded them but have done little to further the social missions of those businesses. The argument that somehow the positive values and social intent of these companies percolates through the multinationals that bought them is nonsense akin to trickle down economics. It also ignores the fact that these social businesses were acquired for commercial reasons and for their potential to generate significant profits into the future.
Tim Draimin

Stories That Matter | Axiom News - 0 views

axiomnews.ca/1399

social finance

shared by Tim Draimin on 14 Jun 11 - No Cached
  • Finance Learn How Social Finance Can Work in Communities Newly-released guide to increase understanding of finance tools that generate social and monetary impact
  • There is a new resource available for people interested in learning about social finance in Canada, and beyond.
  • Aptly named Your Guide to Social Finance, the online publication spearheaded by Social Innovation Generation (Sig) offers people both quick and in-depth answers for how social finance works, who’s involved and who’s eligible.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • Joanna Reynolds, project lead and program director of the SiG division Causeway, says the guide is targeting social entrepreneurs and anyone interested in social ventures to explain how social finance can support the opening, operation and expansion of organizations pursuing social and environmental outcomes. According to Reynolds, it’s the first guide of its kind to provide these tools in a convenient format.  “There isn’t anything like it in the world, as far as we know, in terms of an accessible and hopefully easy-to-understand resource for people to learn about social finance,” Reynolds tells Axiom News. The project took nearly a year and a half to complete and involved a number of collaborators like SocialFinance.ca, Ashoka Canada and the B.C. Centre for Social Enterprise.  Bruce Mau Design was engaged in the creative process, and Reynolds credits the internationally-recognized design firm along with volunteer Helen Yeung for challenging the group to keep the content accessible to diverse readers. Reynolds says a major asset of the guide is the section featuring social finance stories, in video and article format, which can build greater awareness of the possibilities for social finance. “The purpose of the guide is to really tell stories of social finance at work. We feel that a great way to understand social finance is through examples and illustrations so people can see this is what it is, and it applies in these kinds of ways,” says Reynolds, who adds most people would be unaware of the organizations listed in the guide. Since launching the resource, Reynolds says they’re receiving great feedback, and people are excited the content is available. She’s encouraging people involved in social finance to submit their comments and any new projects they’re working on, as the guide will be updated. SiG is also planning to promote the resource to community organizations and networks that could benefit from the information. Reynolds adds this is part of SiG’s vision to move social finance from an innate and mostly uncoordinated sector to its next stage of growth — a co-ordinated and accessible system. To read Your Guide to Social Finance, click here. If you have feedback on this article please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051 or e-mail camille(at)axiomnews.ca. Login or register to post comments Axiom News: Change is our product. News is our process. Click here to learn how. Front Page NewsStrengths Movement Cincinnati Summit Who We Are Our Services Our Clients Resources Contact
  • Tim Draimin on 14 Jun 11
     
    Axiom article explaining the new guide to social finance...
Tim Draimin

Social Innovation Europe Initiative Launched in Brussels :: wbc-inco.net - 0 views

wbc-inco.net/...112035.html

social innovation europe innovation socialenterprise

shared by Tim Draimin on 06 May 11 - No Cached
  • On March 16 and 17, 2011, Social Innovation Europe was launched in Brussels. Funded by the European Commission, Social Innovation Europe will create a dynamic, entrepreneurial and innovative new Europe. The time has come for Europe to embrace the broad concept of innovation and set an example globally. By 2014, Social Innovation Europe will have become the meeting place - virtual and real - for social innovators, entrepreneurs, non-profit organisations, policy makers and anyone else who is inspired by social innovation in Europe. Through a series of gatherings, and a new online resource, Social Innovation Europe will: connect projects and people who can share experiences and learn from each other; develop an easily accessible resource bank - so you can find about other projects, organisations and ways of working; develop a resource bank of up to date policies at local and national levels and provide information on funding opportunities; facilitate new relationships between civil society, governments, public sector institutions and relevant private sector bodies develop concrete recommendations in financing and in upscaling/mainstreaming of social innovation in Europe Download the conference report.
  • Tim Draimin on 06 May 11
     
    Social Innovation goes mainstream in Europe as European Union launches SI Europe March 2011 conference with presentations by Geoff Mulgan, Vickie Cammack of Tyze, many others including José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission. His speech included: SPEECH/11/190 José Manuel Durão Barroso President of the European Commission Europe leading social innovation Social Innovation Europe initiative Brussels, 17 March 2011 Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a pleasure to be here and see all of you around this very important issue - how to pursue our dialogue on social innovation. I would like to thank Geoff Mulgan and Diogo Vasconcelos for their kind invitation and also to congratulate them together with Louise Pulford for having won the call to set up the pilot initiative "Social innovation Europe". I also would like to thank DG enterprise for having organised this launch event today. As you know the Commission is fully involved. Lázsló Andor was with you yesterday. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn will be with you today, so this idea of innovation is indeed a major issue for the Commission I am proud to lead. Europe has a long and strong tradition of social innovation: from the workplace to hospices, and from the cooperative movement to microfinance. We have always been a continent of creative social entrepreneurs who have designed systems to enhance education, health, social inclusion and the well-being of citizens. By nature social innovation is an ever-evolving field to keep pace with fast-changing challenges in society. But what concretely do we mean by social innovation? I think it is important to recognise that this concept is not yet fully accepted in the political debate. I think social innovation is about meeting the unmet social needs and improving social outcomes. It is about tapping into the creativity of charities, associations and social entrepreneurs to find new ways of meeting pressing social needs, which are not adequately met
Tim Draimin

FT.com / UK / Politics & policy - Plan on staff mutuals found lacking - 0 views

www.ft.com/...b4-11e0-80d5-00144feabdc0.html

socialenterprise uk co-ops social innovation

shared by Tim Draimin on 06 May 11 - No Cached
  • The UK is not equipped for the revolution in public service mutuals that the government seeks, according to a report from an organisation enthusiastic about making the idea a reality.Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office minister, has been vigorously promoting the idea that staff can leave public service employment to sell their services back through various forms of mutual and social enterprise, sometimes through joint ventures with the private sector.
  • A “right to request” to form a mutual has been set up, and a national taskforce along with a string of pilot projects have been created, in the hope of getting perhaps 1m public service employees in to mutuals by 2015.
  • Tim Draimin on 06 May 11
     
    Important Financial Times update on UK's deficient mutualisation process, ie spinning government services out into mutual and social enterprise.
Joanna Reynolds

HP Global Citizenship: Social innovation - 0 views

www.hp.com/...social_innovation.html

metrics

shared by Joanna Reynolds on 05 May 11 - No Cached
  • At HP, our approach to social innovation is integrated into our overall business strategy. We apply our global reach, broad portfolio, and the expertise of our employees to help improve social and economic conditions worldwide in ways that only enterprises with HP's reach can. At the same time, our initiatives have successfully opened up new markets and developed existing ones.
  • Joanna Reynolds on 05 May 11
     
    Adam J said this has an extensive report on metrics. Could be a useful model to review.
Joanna Reynolds

Environmental Finance | Welcome - 0 views

www.environmental-finance.com/

Environment

shared by Joanna Reynolds on 22 Mar 12 - Cached
  • Joanna Reynolds on 22 Mar 12
     
    Green Bonds
Joanna Reynolds

http://www.iisd.org/business/pdf/business_strategy.pdf - 0 views

www.iisd.org/...business_strategy.pdf

sustainable investing

shared by Joanna Reynolds on 19 Dec 11 - No Cached
  • Joanna Reynolds on 19 Dec 11
     
    1992 article on sustainable investing shines a light on the foundation of our work within Impact Investing.  Part of a investing certification course I am taking at John Molson School of Business. 
adamspence

Big Society relaunch: the risks, by John Tizard - Public Finance Opinion - 0 views

opinion.publicfinance.co.uk/...aunch-the-risks-by-john-tizard

social innovation uk big society social finance social enterprise socialenterprise

shared by adamspence on 24 May 11 - No Cached
  • As the prime minister re-launches his big idea – the Big Society – it seems an appropriate time to ask ‘what is the Big Society and what it could it be?’ To the government it would seem to have several key elements ranging from individuals and families taking more responsibility for their lives to opening the public service provision up to social enterprise and the community and voluntary sector.  To some ministers and others the term ‘Big Society’ seems to be a useful badge for a new policy or initiative.  For some it does appear to be a camouflage for a deliberate pursuit of a ‘smaller state’, less regulation, fewer public sector employees and public expenditure cuts.
adamspence

Sustainable Stock Exchanges - Official Home - 0 views

www.unpri.org/...indexSSE.php

social stock exchanges UN social innovation impact investing research

shared by adamspence on 23 May 11 - No Cached
  • The Sustainable Stock Exchanges is an initiative aimed at exploring how exchanges can work together with investors, regulators, and companies to enhance corporate transparency, and ultimately performance, on ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) issues and encourage responsible long-term approaches to investment.
adamspence

Growth: an unalloyed good - Public Service - 0 views

www.publicservice.co.uk/feature_story.asp

uk socialenterprise privatization de-mutualization big society

shared by adamspence on 23 May 11 - No Cached
  • The Big Society agenda can and must be one of growth, says Asheem SinghWhen scores of activists converged on Parliament Square to protest against tuition fees, organised through social networks and through parent groups like UK Uncut and the NUS, we were given a glimpse of what the Big Society's vision of autonomous, self-organising communities might look like. It was not a particularly edifying sight, what with the criminal damage and the violence, yet for David Cameron the Big Society remains his mission in politics.
adamspence

UK example a warning sign on privatisation - The West Australian - 0 views

au.news.yahoo.com/...1

uk socialenterprise social big society privatization de-mutualization

shared by adamspence on 23 May 11 - No Cached
  • The Barnett Government's Budget announcement of a big injection of funds for the non-profit sector in WA sounds like a great idea - we all know organisations such as the Salvos are run by nice people who do a great job and who could use some extra money.Before we get too excited, however, there are a few lessons to be learnt from looking at the effects of similar policies elsewhere.
adamspence

Socially responsible investments yield dividends - The National - 0 views

www.thenational.ae/...le-investments-yield-dividends

research impact investing asia

shared by adamspence on 19 May 11 - No Cached
  • Investing money to make a difference goes by several names, with "ethical", "impact", "green" and "socially responsible" among the industry favourites. But the definition is generally the same: returns are usually sacrificed in the name of doing good. This view is set to change, according to a report titled Impact Investing in Emerging Markets, by the consultancy Responsible Research.
  • The report has found impact investing in emerging markets is becoming more attractive to fund managers, private equity companies and retail investors worldwide, because the returns are now more compelling. The research cites a survey by the Global Impact Investing Network which found investors anticipate a return of between 20 and 24 per cent this year on their interests in impact companies working in emerging markets.

  • WillowTree is raising cash from investors around the world and has nearly reached its target of US$80 million (Dh293.8m).

    It will use these funds to take equity stakes in companies involved in education, health, food, poverty alleviation and community development, investing between $500,000 and $10m in each project.

    The private equity fund is focusing on the Middle East, North Africa and south Asia.

adamspence

Responsible Research - 0 views

www.responsibleresearch.com

research impact investing asia

shared by adamspence on 19 May 11 - No Cached
  • adamspence on 19 May 11
     
    "Responsible Research is the leading provider of quality independent Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) research in Asia for global institutional asset owners and asset managers. We analyse material ESG factors, which increasingly deliver risk to earnings and affect both investment decisions and sustainability in the region."
adamspence

Sarona Asset Management commits $3.5 million in new impact investments - 0 views

www.newswire.ca/...c5936.html

impact investing deal sarona

shared by adamspence on 19 May 11 - No Cached
  • Sarona Asset Management announced today that its Sarona Frontier Markets Fund I LP has committed US$3,500,000 to two private equity funds: US$2,000,000 to the South Asia Clean Energy Fund and US$1,500,000 to the Fanisi Venture Capital Fund.
  • adamspence on 19 May 11
     
    "Sarona Asset Management announced today that its Sarona Frontier Markets Fund I LP has committed US$3,500,000 to two private equity funds: US$2,000,000 to the South Asia Clean Energy Fund and US$1,500,000 to the Fanisi Venture Capital Fund."
Tim Draimin

HP 2010 Sustainability Performance Report - a mixed bag | ZDNet - 0 views

www.zdnet.com/...1495

social innovation CSR

shared by Tim Draimin on 13 May 11 - No Cached
  • HP sustainability reports are always a meaty read which provide an interesting insight on the performance and impact of one of the world’s largest tech companies. 2010 marks HP’s 10th annual report and while it doesn’t disappoint as an interesting read it does cause pause for both admiration and concern in almost equal measure.
  • First the good news: HP delivers 2.5% reduction in energy consumption and 9% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from direct operations. The improvements were driven by efficiencies associated with the EDS integration, other corporate initiatives and the purchase of green credits. Frustratingly though, HP is unable to report 2010 supplier manufacturing energy and greenhouse gas data and existing estimates for this and transportation appear to be just this - estimates.  HP have had really stellar results in their operating performance but we really have no idea if the carbon & energy savings have just been merely displaced elsewhere on the value chain. HP also reported that the Carbon Disclosure Project had marked down its score in the CDP leader index to 66% from 89% the prior year.
  • Now the not so hot news: Investment in social innovation does not seem to be keeping pace with the rest of the business which reduces HP’s ability to showcase its technology and inspire on how technology can change the world. For instance, technology donations collapsed by a whopping 50% in 2010 and yet cash donations increased by 23%. Finding the ways and means to distribute technology, provide after donation support and monitoring is more challenging than writing a fat check but its the most relevant and appropriate social intervention HP can make. Rate of supplier ethics audit has declined 29% since 2008 but HP reports that excessive working hours at supplier facilities remains a high concern. With the intensification of supplier engagement and the additional publicity associated with key HP supplier Foxconn one might expect supplier ethical audit activity to increase rather than shrink.  At a rate of just 92 audits a year it will be difficult for HP to stay abreast of manufacturing labor issues let alone start to get to grips with the emerging issue of conflict resources. Supplier transparency - as previously posted here HP is to be applauded for publishing a list of suppliers. But prioritizing transparency by spend volume rather than risk rather missed the point for the needed transparency. For example, HP publishes a case study on its remedial work to help Foxconn improve its performance yet Foxconn does not appear on the list of strategic suppliers published. This picture has become more muddied over time. When HP first started publishing its supplier details in 2007 it said that its list represented 95% of spend but just 25% of suppliers. We are no longer told what percentage of suppliers are declared and whether they are high risk or not but somehow I doubt if listed Intel, Microsoft, Seagate or Sony are deemed high risk on social responsibility.
  • Tim Draimin on 13 May 11
     
    A critical analysis of the HP Report...
Joanna Reynolds

The Fund Library :: ETFs :: AGF's Acuity SRI funds carefully assess environmental risks... - 0 views

www.fundlibrary.com/...page.asp

Datainformation

shared by Joanna Reynolds on 06 Dec 11 - No Cached
  • Joanna Reynolds on 06 Dec 11
     
    This site will be useful for us to learn about how Fund data is developed and shared in the industry.  
Joanna Reynolds

Daily Exchange - 0 views

www.exchangemagazine.com/...051209.htm

social innovation

shared by Joanna Reynolds on 13 May 11 - No Cached
  • WATERLOO - A University of Waterloo social innovation expert will join more than 50 leading thinkers, including 17 Nobel Laureates, next week for a high-level meeting to draft an action plan to save a world under siege from climate change, deteriorating ecosystems and poverty.
  • Frances Westley, the JW McConnell Chair in Social Innovation at Waterloo, will chair a session on sustainable development at the third Nobel Laureate Symposium on Global Sustainability, which will take place May 16 to 19 at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Joanna Reynolds on 13 May 11
     
    Frances Westley, at Nobel Laureate Symposium
Adam Jagelewski

Social spending meets market discipline | Marketplace From American Public Media - 0 views

marketplace.publicradio.org/...ending-meets-market-discipline

social impact bonds US

shared by Adam Jagelewski on 24 May 11 - No Cached
  • U.S. federal, state and city governments are moving toward testing a British idea for social programs: pay only if they achieve desired results
  • It's basically a no-lose proposition for government.
  • It's really the perfect tool for these tight fiscal times where so many core services are also being cut.
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