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Make impact measurable

Our objective is to make impact measurable. We see impact measurement as enabler towards a stronger impact orientation and promoter of sustainability development. Impact measurement not only represents one of the core characteristics of impact investing , but also serves as a starting point for impact management . In this context, our Agents for Impact Sustainability Alignment Rating (AFISAR ^© ) Tool assesses the alignment of a company’s sustainability performance – both at institutional and portfolio level – to the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs). Currently, we are assessing microfinance and MSME finance institutions in India, Central Asia, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, with further regional coverage being developed. We are a strong advocate of impact investing and committed to the SDGs. In order to further strengthen the German Impact Investing ecosystem and promote impact orientation, in July 2020 we joined the Federal (German) Initiative Impact Investing as a member and were co-leading its initiative “Impact Measurement & Management” (together with PHINEO). To obtain further details about our activities in impact measurement / management, kindly contact our Director of ESG & Impact, Manuela Fritzsch (contact: manuela.fritzsch@agentsforimpact.com.) Pratibha Singh (contact: pratibha.singh@agentsforimpact.com.)

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement (both adopted in 2015) as well as the European Green Deal call for a deep transformation towards an inclusive, socially just, carbon-neutral and regenerative economy.

The UN estimates that annually $2.5 trillion need to be mobilised to finance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). And yet, the COVID-19 pandemic SDG Golas creates a massive setback in the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Amidst the health, economic and social impacts of the pandemic, financing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) remains an important vehicle to stimulate growth and socio-economic development. Among other effects, the COVID-19 crisis has caused a slowdown in microfinance activities and thereby threatens the financial inclusion of low-income populations. In this context, Impact Investing can significantly contribute to the solution of societal issues. In response to the effects of pandemic, at Agents for Impact we focus on exploring new opportunities and identifying strategic partners around the globe to support local entrepreneurship, encourage women empowerment and contribute to sustainable development.

The 2020 Annual Impact Investor Survey of the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) estimates the impact investing market to cover USD 715 billion. In fact, globally more and more investors are shifting their capital into impact investing, i.e. investments pursuing not only a financial return, but also a positive environmental and/or social impact. Evidence-based impact measurement is not only of the core characteristics of impact investing, but also serves as a starting point for impact management. Yet, due to its multidimensionality and complexity impact measurement poses a challenge to investors and investees.

As impact investors have to demonstrate the social and/or environmental impact of their investments (especially financial institutions subject to the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, SFDR), they also need an enhanced sustainability measurement, which is clear, reliable, quantifiable & comparable. Consequently, the financial sector is increasingly seeking data and evidence from their investees. In order to source funding from international impact-oriented investors, investees (such as microfinance institutions/MFIs) are well advised to provide evidence regarding their sustainability performance. Besides a roadmap towards a more prosperous and sustainable world by 2030, the SDGs are also offering a positive, common language advocating for social and environmental issues. This is where impact measurement comes into play to assess the status quo and pave the way to create even more positive impact.

As mentioned above, further capital needs to be mobilised to address the prevalent global challenges (such as climate change, persisting inequalities and a biii sustainable COVID-19 recovery) and finance the SDGs. In order to further strengthen the German Impact Investing ecosystem, we joined the Federal (German) Initiative Impact Investing (https://bundesinitiative-impact-investing.de/) as member and are co-leading its initiative “Impact Measurement & Management” (together with PHINEO) as a platform for impact practitioners to facilitate discussions about impact measurement approaches as enabler towards an impact-oriented economy and exchange of best practices.

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Make impact measurable

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