Economic Development

Economic Development Strategies to Combat Global Poverty

World Bank: Is Economic Growth Alone Enough? Human Wellbeing and Development Strategy

As the World Bank’s Spring Meetings begin, a vital question returns: is GDP growth enough to improve lives? This article argues for a more useful lens, combining economic growth with multidimensional, household-level poverty data. Drawing on fresh evidence, it shows how better measurement can drive smarter policy and more inclusive, lasting gains in wellbeing.
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women farmers supply chains

Partnering for Impact: Five Lessons for Organisations Ready to Champion Women Farmers

Strong partnerships are essential to building resilient, climate-smart supply chains. Drawing on ofi and GIZ’s multi-year collaboration, this article shares five practical lessons for empowering women farmers at scale. From aligning around shared challenges to designing inclusive, long-term programmes, it shows how partnership can unlock livelihoods, strengthen value chains and drive measurable impact.
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Fernanda Facchini, Natura

What Real Sustainability Integration Looks Like in Business, with Fernanda Facchini, Natura

Meet Social Impact Pioneer, Fernanda Facchini. She is part of the team at Natura, the Brazilian multinational cosmetics company, who are pioneering sustainable and ethical beauty products while driving regenerative practices in the Amazon rainforest. This conversation deep dives into what it takes for a commercial business to deliver social and environmental impact from its heart.
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Supply chain problems. Businessmen connect chains together stock illustration - impact venture design

Why Lean Startup Fails Impact Ventures – and What to Do About It

Why do so many impact ventures fail to scale sustainably? The Billions Burned webinar series explores how Lean Startup and patient capital models can undermine long-term success in “build to hold” ventures. It argues that structural cost-to-value barriers – not lack of effort or money – drive failure, and highlights the need for new innovation frameworks that prioritise profitability, resilience and real-world impact.
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First mile supply chain traceability

Understanding the First Mile: Strategies and Tools for First Mile Inclusion in Traceability and Due Diligence Systems

New research offers practical approaches to strengthening traceability and supporting smallholder inclusion at the start of agricultural supply chains. Jessica Fryer from ISEAL discusses the research findings and what this means for building resilient and inclusive supply chains.
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Beatrice Medo

Supply Chain Resilience Starts with Household Resilience: What Other Sectors can Learn from Cocoa

Supply chain resilience begins at the household level. Drawing lessons from the cocoa sector in West Africa, this article explores how strengthening women’s financial inclusion, decision-making power and access to savings groups can stabilise farming families and reduce risks across global supply chains. When households become more resilient, companies gain stronger, more reliable and sustainable supply systems.
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Marike Runneboom de Peña, Fairtrade

Why Fairtrade Matters More Than Ever with Marike Runneboom de Peña

Listen in to this podcast episode to hear from Social Impact Pioneer Marike Runneboom de Peña, Interim CEO of Fairtrade International, about why this moment is a turning point for fair trade and global supply chains.
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Beyond CSR Five Reasons Businesses Are Using Impact Investing to Fight Poverty in 2026

Beyond CSR: Five Reasons Businesses Are Using Impact Investing to Fight Poverty in 2026

Grant funding has long been the default tool for businesses wanting to fight poverty and support global causes. But a growing number of corporate leaders are making a different choice. Impact investments are investments made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social and/or environmental impact alongside a financial return. Here are five reasons businesses are moving their CSR strategies beyond traditional grantmaking.
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How can we be ambitious in the face of crisis and constraint

How Can We be Ambitious in the Face of Crisis and Constraint?

As crises deepen and resources shrink, social impact leaders must do more with less. This article explores how systemic partnerships and responsible AI can unlock efficiency, scale and collaboration. By combining human-centred approaches with technology and trust, businesses and organisations can remain ambitious while driving meaningful progress on poverty, climate and inequality.
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Translating sustainability insights into action

Partner with the Business Fights Poverty Institute to Drive Action

Businesses face growing pressure to turn sustainability insight into action, yet fragmented evidence often slows progress. The Business Fights Poverty Institute bridges this gap by combining academic rigour with real-world expertise to deliver practical, actionable guidance. By enabling collaboration across sectors, it helps companies build resilient, inclusive strategies to tackle global challenges effectively.
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Financing renewable Energy - Lassor and Ruchir

Financing Solar Energy in the Global South with Lassor and Ruchir

How do we finance renewable energy in the places where it can have the greatest impact? Meet two visionary leaders and Social Impact Pioneers driving solutions: Lassor Feasley, co-founder and CEO of Renewables.org, and Ruchir Punjabi, co-founder and CEO of Distributed Energy
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Global supply chains and hidden labour risks

Forced Labour in Supply Chains: A Growing Competitiveness Challenge for the UK

Forced labour in supply chains is no longer just an ethical issue, it is a growing competitiveness challenge for UK businesses. As global regulations tighten, responsible sourcing is becoming essential for market access, resilience and investor confidence. Stronger frameworks can protect workers, level the playing field and position the UK to lead in sustainable, high-integrity global trade.
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The Social Impact Landscape for Business

The Social Impact Landscape for Business: Planning for 2026 This paper explores how businesses can navigate an increasingly complex and polarised social impact landscape
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Narrative and Language

What is working for social impact professionals in 2026 As social impact becomes increasingly politicised and misunderstood, how organisations communicate is critical to sustaining
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Managing Change

What is working for social impact professionals in 2026 As social impact professionals face rising uncertainty, funding pressures and shifting political dynamics, the ability
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How can companies strengthen livelihoods through their value chains?

How can companies strengthen livelihoods through their value chains? As businesses face rising pressure to deliver fairer and more resilient value chains, livelihoods can
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How are current social and environmental challenges disrupting livelihoods?

How are current social and environmental challenges disrupting livelihoods? As climate change, AI, demographic shifts and displacement reshape labour markets, the challenge is not
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How can companies strengthen livelihoods through their value chains?

Watch this Workshop on how companies can strengthen livelihoods through their value chains, including suppliers, distributors and employees. Through an interview-style panel and table
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How are current social and environmental challenges disrupting livelihoods?

Watch this Workshop which explores the biggest disruptive forces reshaping livelihoods, including AI and climate change. Take a deeper look at the impacts on
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AI women entrepreneurs - African businesswoman uses smart tablet

AI is Working for Women Entrepreneurs — But Only at the Edges. For Real Benefits, We Need Targeted Action.

AI is helping women entrepreneurs save time, but not yet unlock the full growth potential of their businesses. Drawing on research across 3,000 women entrepreneurs in 66 countries, this article explores why AI adoption remains concentrated in marketing and communications, and what targeted action is needed to turn AI from a helpful tool into a genuine driver of resilience, productivity and growth.
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What do we mean by "Economic Development"?

Explore how economic growth can significantly reduce poverty through innovative business initiatives and strategic planning. Join us in making a difference.

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