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A Vaccine Is Not the Only Answer to COVID-19: Why Strengthening Statistical and Data Systems Must Be Part of the Solution
The COVID-19 pandemic has been financially devastating, tightening budgets around the world. But Deirdre Appel and Shaida Badiee at Open Data Watch caution governments and development organizations against defunding the systems that provide accurate, real-time data. They explore why strong data systems are essential – not only to fighting the virus, but to responding to future needs and crises.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Impact Assessment
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Innovating on the Pay for Success Model: How ‘Social Derivatives’ Can Unlock Everyday Giving to Incentivize Greater Impact
Pay-for-success models have generated considerable excitement in the social finance sector. But according to Akhil Pawar and Geet Kalra at Yunus Social Business, the approach presents several challenges, mainly around the question of who will pay, and how to ensure an economical structure. They share a potential solution that leverages retail giving, substituting large donors with small ones by using "social derivatives."
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing
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India Needs More Non-Profit Unicorns: Here’s How Transparency and Disclosure Standards Can Help Build Them
India's non-profits are tackling huge social challenges, but they're facing a persistent problem: inadequate funding. According to Varad Pande and Rahul Bhide at Omidyar Network, this issue is driven in part by a lack of disclosure standards detailing the information non-profits should share about their impact. They explore how simple yet robust standards could boost transparency and increase trust among donors, bringing more capital and talent into the sector.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
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Press Release: Grameen Foundation, J.P. Morgan Deliver COVID-19 Relief to Filipina Entrepreneurs
Grameen Foundation announced the launch of its COVID-19 RELIEF (Response to Enhance Livelihoods of Individual Entrepreneurs and Families) in the country to provide immediate relief and longer-term recovery support to 3,500 women entrepreneurs running microenterprises.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Entrepreneurship
- Region
- South Asia
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Impact Measurement and Management During COVID-19: Tips and Resources to Help Social Impact Organizations Adapt
As the scope of the COVID-19 economic crisis becomes clear, social impact organizations are scrambling to cut costs. According to Matthew Guttentag and Mallory St. Claire at ANDE, this might lead them to reduce their focus on impact measurement and management (IMM). They explain why this would be a mistake – and how organizations can adapt their IMM activities during the crisis.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Impact Assessment
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New Era, New Data: Why ‘Financial Inclusion 2.0’ Will Require a Different Approach to Measurement
Financial inclusion is entering a new era, says Grant Robertson at FinMark Trust. The movement’s first era focused largely on boosting financial access – but its impact on poverty and wellbeing was limited. The new era – "financial inclusion 2.0" – will focus more on expanding real economic opportunity. But to support this goal, the sector will need a new approach to data.
- Categories
- Finance, Impact Assessment
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Expanding Impact and Emerging Risks in Off-Grid Energy: 10 Customer Insights – And Five Calls to Action
Social impact measurement is often a balancing act between generating rich, meaningful insights – and getting lost in the details. 60 Decibels aims to strike that balance with its first impact performance report, “Why Off Grid Energy Matters,” based on over 35,000 interviews with customers of 49 off-grid energy companies in 17 countries. Kat Harrison and Sasha Dichter explore some highlights, ranging from hyper-specific insights on customer impact, to sector-wide risks and gaps.
- Categories
- Energy, Impact Assessment
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Progress and Frustration: How Investors are Pushing Impact Investing Toward Greater Transparency
Impact investments are likely to top $1 trillion in the not-too-distant future. But as the sector grows, so does the need for greater transparency about who is benefiting, in what ways, and to what degree, says Paige Chapel at Aeris Insight. And though institutional investors are moving toward more accountability, 80% of retail investors still find it difficult to measure the impact of their portfolios. She explores this challenge – and some emerging, tech-based solutions.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing
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