impact investment

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Financial Inclusion

Quotable: Jeffrey Sachs on sustainable growth

Economist Jeffrey Sachs wants to help the poor escape what he calls a "poverty trap," and has spearheaded a project that, he hopes, will help.

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Financial Inclusion

Lessons learned: How Japan's small businesses are rebuilding after the 2011 tsunami

After the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan in 2011, thousands of small businesses were literally wiped out. As they began to rebuild, many found they didn't qualify for loans. Here's what they did:

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Value Chains

What the pivoting IMF mandate means for the poor

The International Monetary Fund is known for its multi-billion dollar bailouts of struggling countries, but the watchdog for global economic stability now says narrowing the income gap between the very poor and the very rich is a key tenet of its mission.

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Youth Skills

2014 World Cup by the numbers

Soccer-loving Brazilians have become the loudest protesters against their country's massive spending in preparation for the World Cup. They argue the billions should have been better spent. Let's look at the numbers.

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Global Ideas News Brief: Philanthropy + Toilet malls

Staff picks: What we're reading this week.

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Global Ideas News Brief: Twisting aid in Somalia + NextGen investors

Staff picks: What we're reading this week.

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Value Chains

Solving the world’s water issues: How focusing on profit can help the poor

When leading water technology company Xylem started manufacturing simple pumps for smallholder farmers, it wasn't for charity, the company expected to profit.

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Value Chains

Water partners: Teaming up to solve shortages

Mercy Corps works with a private company, Xylem, to address urgent water needs in some of the toughest places on Earth. Why work with a partner?

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Social Enterprise

Travel restrictions, blackouts can't stop Gaza tech entrepreneur

Launching a tech startup in Gaza means facing some unique challenges. Mohammed Awad is beating the odds.

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Social Enterprise

How three common pitfalls of social enterprises can be avoided

Many businesses face challenges trying to balance for-profit endeavors with social objectives, and end up trapped by three familiar pitfalls.

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Global Ideas News Brief: Big names weigh in on global inequality

Bill Gates on global poverty, the case for global aid and rising to the challenge of youth unemployment. Staff Picks: what we're reading this week.

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Global Ideas News Brief: Improving microinsurance + Building peace online

Improving microinsurance, building peace online, and why solar lamps are like cash transfers. Staff Picks: What we're reading this week.

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Social Enterprise

Girl power: Accelerating women in social enterprise

"Accelerate Women Now" supports women social entrepreneurs in Latin America with consulting support, mentorships and connections with investors.

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Global Ideas News Brief: Financing coffee + The Pope's capitalism commentary

Financing coffee, developing countries' thirst for energy and the Pope's capitalism. Staff Picks: What we're reading this week.

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Financial Inclusion

Faith and Finance: The director of "Kompanion Invest" discusses the challenges of mixing business and religion

In Kyrgyzstan, over 85 percent of citizens are followers of Islam, and many seek to run Halal businesses. So offering Shari’a compliant financial services just makes sense. Easier said than done. Read this frank Q&A with the country's only Islamic microfinance institution.