What is impact finance
Impact finance.
What impact and sustainable finance is, why it matters now, and how it works in practice across Belgium.
Impact finance means mobilising capital to sustainably strengthen our economy, society and environment, while aiming for measurable social and financial returns. It is investing with positive impact at every level: financial, social and environmental (Profit, People and Planet). It goes beyond avoiding harm, mobilising capital to create measurable, positive outcomes for society, the environment and the economy.
In short
- +Measurable positive impact on the economy, people and the planet
- +Sustainable financial returns
- +Innovative and scalable solutions
- +Stronger competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy
Promote a sustainable and inclusive democracy and labour market
Strengthen our competitiveness and stimulate innovation and growth
Increase the resilience of our economy and infrastructure
Enhance our industrial sovereignty and strategic autonomy
Our society and economy are at a crossroads.
- +Crucial innovations and investments go unfunded or underfunded
- +We remain dependent on fragile supply chains and uncertain energy supply
- +Geopolitically we are falling behind while others move fast on sustainability
- +Our strategic independence and democracy are under pressure
- +Social objectives risk being left behind
Impact finance is therefore not a luxury but a necessity. By accelerating the ecological energy transition, and investing in infrastructure, a resilient economy and a healthy democracy, it strengthens our security and strategic autonomy.
It also helps tackle the societal challenges of our time: an ageing population, accessible healthcare, childcare, education and training, ecological and affordable housing, and an inclusive labour market. Without investment that creates positive impact, there is no lasting financial return, even for traditional financial players.
Belgian case studies
Real examples of impact and sustainable finance at work across Belgium, paired cases of what is financed and how investors apply impact principles.
