Inclusive Business Action Network

The Inclusive Business Action Network (iBAN) is a global initiative supporting the scaling and replication of inclusive business models. Through its strategic pillars iBAN blue and iBAN weave, iBAN manages an innovative online knowledge platform on inclusive business (inclusivebusiness.net) and offers a focused Capacity Development Programme for selected companies and policymakers in developing and emerging countries. iBAN creates a space where evidence-based knowledge transforms into learning and new partnerships. With its focus on promoting the scale-up of inclusive business models, thereby improving the lives of the poor, iBAN is actively contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. iBAN is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Union. It is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

How corporate foundations or impact funds can align with their company to maximise impact?

New article by EVPA and Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR)
Global
20. May 2020

EVPA and Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) have published “The Rise of the Corporate Social Investor”, an article that provides a fresh perspective on how corporate social investors (like corporate foundations and impact funds) can align with their company to maximise impact.

Based on a qualitative study conducted by EVPA, involving 45 practitioners from Corporate Social Investors (CSIs), experts on corporate social investing and inclusive business strategies, four different types in which a CSI and the affiliated company can align have been unravelled:

  1. Business Alignment is pursued by CSIs that aspire to have a direct positive influence on the company’s social and environmental business practices. CSIs do so by aligning their mission with the company’s purpose or long-term (inclusive) business strategy.
  2. Industry Alignment is pursued by CSIs that want to advance best practices or set new standards within the company’s entire industry. CSIs do so by aligning their mission or core focus areas with social issues of special concern in the industry.
  3. Thematic Alignment is pursued by CSIs that want to connect with employees of the company and call attention to societal challenges that exist beyond their business perspective. CSIs do so by aligning their mission or core focus areas with social issues that are materially important to the company.
  4. Nonmaterial Alignment is pursued by CSIs that want to enhance their ability to operate more effectively, without having to align their mission or core focus areas. CSIs do so by aligning their operations with nonmaterial areas of the business, such as the business’ geographical presence.

To learn more about the individual alignment types, their benefits and challenges, read the article here.