Challenging stereotypes through marketing isn’t just good ethics—it’s smart business. With global ad spend nearing $2 trillion, brands have immense power to shift harmful beliefs. This article explores how inclusive communications can reduce discrimination, boost ROI, and unlock competitive advantage—if businesses act now, before the window of opportunity closes.
Innovation thrives when knowledge is shared. In this piece, Chris Lawrence explores how open learning—rooted in humility, transparency, and collective wisdom—can unlock solutions to global challenges. Moving beyond open source technology, he argues for a business philosophy that values shared experience and human connection to foster lasting social impact and inclusive innovation.
Social entrepreneurs are driving inclusive, sustainable solutions, but they need stronger support. Åsa Skogström Feldt, Managing Director of IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, reflects on over a decade of experience, highlighting the urgent need for blended capital, inclusive circular solutions, and empathetic leadership to scale impact for the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Tradeable impact credits—like those issued on the Common Good Marketplace—are transforming how businesses fund global poverty alleviation. With verified outcomes, clear valuation, and rigorous auditing, these credits enable companies to invest in real results and receive measurable social returns. This article explores the promise of impact credits as a tool for scalable, accountable, and high-impact funding.
Meet Stefan Engels, an international development leader with a remarkable cross-sector journey—from corporate boardrooms to grassroots innovation hubs across Africa. Now based in Nairobi, Stefan brings nearly two decades of experience working at the nexus of private sector development, inclusive business models, and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
A project to build the resilience to climate change of coastal communities in Sierra Leone, and a partnership with world-leading researchers on how the private sector can contribute to a fair and just energy transition, are just two examples of AXA XL’s work on social impact. As part of managing the risks and seizing the opportunities of the transition and navigating the extreme weather events from a changing climate, AXA XL are working to deliver positive social impact for people and communities around the world and accelerate an inclusive transition.
With trust and supply chains under pressure, companies need more than good intentions—they need smart strategy. In this new piece, Alix Lebec shows how a portfolio approach to impact can align capital, philanthropy, and business goals to drive efficiency, resilience, and value. Discover how leading companies are integrating purpose to navigate a complex future.
Sustainability and social impact leader Nyika Brain, joins the Social Impact Pioneers podcast to share her experiences in global supply chains, delivering impact through business and explains why resilience is the new social impact and could be the way to navigate CSR and ESG challenges.
Claire Sibthorpe from the GSMA explores how progress in closing the mobile internet gender gap has stalled, with women 14% less likely than men to use mobile internet. She highlights key barriers including handset affordability and digital skills, and the $1.3 trillion GDP opportunity. Urgent, targeted action from stakeholders is needed to prevent women being left behind digitally.
In the nonprofit sector, the phrase “stronger together” has never been more relevant. As organizations face mounting challenges—from funding cuts to political uncertainty—there can be a tendency to turn inward. However, for purpose-driven organizations to thrive in the face of adversity, it will be essential for them to leverage this season of change as an opportunity to build and strengthen effective partnerships, thereby maximizing their impact.
Youth Business International (YBI), the global leader in youth entrepreneurship, is calling for urgent action to support high-growth potential youth-led businesses trapped in the “missing middle.” YBI’s new policy paper sets out strategies to de-risk youth entrepreneurship and unlock sustainable economic growth, job creation, and innovation — particularly among underrepresented youth, women, and businesses outside traditional tech hubs.
In partnership with Visa Inc, Business Fights Poverty launched yesterday a new report, at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, calling for the private sector and governments to recognise the economic potential of refugees and to support approaches that work for refugees and host communities.
This report explores how refugee entrepreneurship can drive inclusive economic growth across Europe, highlighting the untapped potential of refugees as innovators, job creators, and contributors to local economies. Drawing on expert workshops, lived experience, and case studies from across the continent, it examines the systemic barriers refugee entrepreneurs face—from regulatory and financial hurdles to social and political exclusion. A practical resource for policymakers, businesses, and civil society actors committed to economic inclusion and resilience. With Visa and Business Fights Poverty.
Online gender-based violence (GBV) is driving women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) offline, shrinking markets, profits and global economic growth. This MSME Day, we’re calling for the private sector to take urgent action to address this issue and create a more inclusive digital business world. Our new research with Intuit and the World Bank’s ‘Women, Business, and the Law’ project sheds light on how.
The EU Green Claims Directive (GCD) will outlaw false environmental claims, regulating consumer trust, truthful business and meaningful sustainability action. Credible sustainability systems will be vital in corporate adaptation to the GCD. Influencing companies’ claims work, they can create positive impacts for people and planet. In Part Two of ISEAL’s credibility series, Vidya Rangan, Policy and Engagement Director and Patrick Mallet, ISEAL’s Innovations Director, reveal why credible claims are so vital.
Despite making up the majority of the garment, footwear, and textile workforce, women are vastly underrepresented in leadership and technical roles. A new RISE report explores how businesses can unlock flexible, inclusive pathways for career advancement—boosting retention, equity, and resilience. From fair promotion systems to childcare support, the solutions are practical, scalable, and urgent.
In this episode, we welcome Social Impact Pioneer Josh Wheeler — founder of Be Broadcast, award-winning broadcast PR strategist, and one of the UK’s leading voices on reshaping how we talk about climate change and how to move the conversation from climate fear, stalling and inaction, to something everyone can take positive action on.
A pioneering partnership between Planting Naturals, APT Action on Poverty, and MAPCO has reduced child labour by 70% in Sierra Leone’s palm oil sector. By combining ethical sourcing, community-led development, and inclusive finance, this collaboration shows how businesses and NGOs can drive sustainable change through shared responsibility and grassroots engagement.
