July Social Impact News Roundup: Frameworks for the Future

How Policy Can Enable Social Enterprises to Thrive

Among the top obstacles facing social enterprises are complex and sometimes unclear regulatory frameworks. Although social enterprises can be found all over the world, most jurisdictions suffer from a lack of laws and policies that support them. 

To address this challenge, the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation collaborated with more than 60 member law firms around the world to investigate how legal reform can act as a catalyst for social enterprise. The resulting Social Enterprise Law & Policy Report offers a comparative analysis of how different countries support and enable the development of social ventures, along with recommendations for policymakers to create more enabling local environments. Here’s a breakdown of what they found, courtesy of the World Economic Forum. 

A Framework for Responsible AI in Social Innovation

On 25 June, the Schwab Foundation’s Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship launched its second AI report, “AI for Impact: The PRISM Framework for Responsible AI in Social Innovation.” This groundbreaking research introduces the PRISM Framework to guide social innovators and other organizations through the nuanced landscape of AI integration. It encourages organizations to start with low-risk, low-cost AI applications and stresses the importance of organizational readiness over mere technological capability, and aligns with established methodologies like AI Governance Alliance’s Presidio Framework. Missed the first report in the series? We’ve got you covered – check out our breakdown of key takeaways here.

Spotlight on Social Procurement in the EU

Social procurement integrates social enterprises into corporate value chains, offering an opportunity for faster scaling of effective solutions. This approach also holds promise for accelerating the corporate transition to net zero (and even net positive) impact. A new report from our friends at Sattva Consulting, Impact Europe, and SAP explores this trend through an EU lens, sharing how more than 35 companies have adopted social procurement, navigated its complexities, and demonstrated good practices in action. Among its key takeaways? Companies still struggle to build their pipeline of social enterprises, but cross-sector capacity building efforts can help bridge that gap. 

Social Impact Job Openings

• African Visionary Fund is hiring for a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager (remote out of Africa)
• Amazon is hiring for a Senior Sustainability Specialist, ESG Reporting, WW Sustainability (based in Seattle, WA)
• B Lab is hiring for a Global HR Director (based in Washington, D.C.)
• Common Future is hiring for an Impact Investments Manager (based in Oakland, CA)
• Devex is hiring for a Development Policy Correspondent (remote)
• EIDU is hiring for a Software Engineer (hybrid out of Berlin, Germany)
• Just Futures is hiring for a Business Development Associate (remote within U.S.)
• Kuueza is hiring for a Communications & Media Strategist (remote out of Accra, Ghana)
• Leanpath is hiring for multiple positions, including:
  • Account Manager (remote out of Beaverton, OH)
  • Senior Accountant (remote out of Beaverton, OH) 
  • Product Manager (remote out of Beaverton, OH) 
• LEGO Group is hiring for a Social Responsibility Manager – LEGO Manufacturing (hybrid out of Chester, VA)
• Mattel is hiring for a Manager, Sustainable Supply Chain & Human Rights (based in El Segundo, CA)
• Monday.com is hiring for a Social Impact Program Manager (based in New York, NY)
• National Geographic Society is hiring for a Manager, Corporate Partnerships (based in Washington, D.C.)
• Patagonia is hiring for a Business Analyst (hybrid out of Buenos Aires, Argentina)
• Practical Action is hiring for a Financial Accountant (based in the U.K.)
• Tamarack Institute is hiring for a Chief Operating Officer (remote within Canada)
• Upaya Social Ventures is hiring for a Development Associate (hybrid out of Seattle, WA)
• U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is hiring for an Environmental & Social Monitoring Specialist (based in Washington, D.C.)
• VentureLab is hiring for a Director of Communications (based in Austin, TX)

Upcoming Events & New Programs

• July 10: Join Mercy Corps Ventures for an information session about its AI for Climate Resilience program. 
• July 18: Join the TRANSFORM Support Hub and Miller Center Capital for Part I of our Fundraising series to learn how to make a justifiable funding ask that gets a “yes” from investors. Learn more and register here.
• July 21: Deadline to apply for Mercy Corps Ventures AI for Climate Resilience in Emerging Markets, offering grants up to $100,000 USD to startup partners.
• July 25: Join the TRANSFORM Support Hub and Miller Center Capital for Part II of our Fundraising series to workshop your funding ask, get real-time feedback from peers and experts, and develop next steps. Learn more and register here.

Wins from our TRANSFORM Support Hub Network

• Banana & Partners published its latest impact report, highlighting its activities and partnerships to promote sustainable waste management across Indonesia!
• Banana & Partners participated in the APEC Forum 2024, presenting insights on “Digital Innovation to Implement SMEs’ Low-Carbon Transformation’!
• Burn Manufacturing was named one of TIME’s 100 Most INfluential Companies of 2024 for its contribution to bringing clean cooking to households across Africa!
• Caare was named as a finalist for the Ageing Asia Startup of the Year 2024 Award!
• Krystal Ice and its Founder, Akol Lynnete, were featured by NSSF and Hi-Innovator in this video!
• Krystal Ice was awarded a grant from Capital Solutions! 
• Kuueza recently launched its new website! 
• Lasso Loop Recycling was selected as a Top 100 Resilience Solution in the 2024 QBE Insurace #AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge!
• Studio Coppre was one of seven ventures to receive a Market Development Grant from the R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund! 
• SuperBetter partnered with Indiana University to launch a new ‘Gaming for Resilience’ course, which will teach students how to use SuperBetter to level up their resilience!
• Piipee was selected for the 2024 RE.GENERATION Cohort!

A Final Bit of Inspiration

“You don’t have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful. You just need a framework and a dream.”

Michael Dell