EXPERTISE

The Need
Emerging technologies offer transformative opportunities, from precision diagnostics improving health outcomes to apps supporting smallholder farmers to blockchain enhancing supply chain transparency. However, they also pose significant risks, including biased AI decision-making and widespread disinformation. Balancing these forces requires ethical oversight, inclusive design and cross-sector collaboration.

Our Expertise
We examine and showcase technology’s power to drive societal change and inspire action for impact:

• Analysis of social impacts of technology and mapping of solutions and recommendations for key stakeholders – as in our three studies on AI’s impact on children’s safety
• Identification of trends and advances in AI, such as national policy developments and investments in AI R&D, as well as landscaping of AI players across sectors
• Strengthening of Digital Public Infrastructure by mobilising ODA – fostering, for instance, Inclusive Instant Payment Systems in low- and middle-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Development of digital strategies and innovative products leading, among others, to Digital Public Goods, such as the Data to Policy Navigator for evidence-based policymaking

Our Experts:
Rayd Abu-Ayyash | Lisa Maddox | Jonathan Lehmann

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The Need
Financial resources are key to achieving the SDGs, yet the funding gap continues to widen. Strategically channeling private finance and revamping philanthropic practices are critical to bridging this gap. The global sustainable finance market now exceeds $5.8tn (UNCTAD, 2023), and nearly 4,000 organisations manage $1.5tn in impact investing assets (GIIN, 2024). Still, a collaborative effort between public and private sectors is needed to unlock the full potential of finance for impact.

Our Expertise

We support investors, investees and ecosystem players in accelerating the transformation towards finance for impact:

• Engagements with both traditional and impact investors along their impact management and measurement journey
• Support for investors on impact strategy (e.g. setting up a new fund), investment process (e.g. impact assessment methodology, due diligence, and monetarisation), portfolio management (e.g. impact value creation and exit prep) and external engagement
• Establishment of blended finance products and partnerships from design to launch to implementation – as with the HDX Hub, which we helped facilitate between the European Commission, the European Investment Bank and the Gates Foundation

Our Experts:
Thomas Brand | Serena Guarnaschelli | Clara Péron | Simon Gaus

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The Need
Hundreds of billions are invested every year to address global issues. The OECD countries alone contributed $224bn in 2023 (OECD, 2023). To ensure funds deliver the best possible outcomes, funders and NGOs must actively manage their impact. This requires strategically planning and measuring impact, evaluating results and steering organisations to continuously learn and improve.

Our Expertise
To maximise the impact of available resources, we develop impact management approaches with players across sectors:

• Capacity building support to initiate and strengthen internal impact management capabilities, as through the VfG Impact Academy
• Development of proven impact management tools, including Theories of Change as well as impact data and evaluation approaches
• Facilitation of external impact assessments and evaluations that measure impact and provide actionable advice on how to further improve, including RCTs and SROI analyses
• Advisory on trends and best practices of impact management, such as long-term endgame strategies

Our Experts:
Benedikt Alt | Hans Kroemer

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