Social Value & Infrastructure Investment

Join us this Wednesday, May 31 for insights into the value created by the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) as it represents, and advances, the interests of local communities impacted by major infrastructure projects.

While it is true that this value includes meaningful work and stimulation of local businesses, in conversation with Rosemarie Powell, Executive Director, TCBN, it becomes clear that the value of advocating on behalf of communities is also much more than that

Register now for this event.

TCBN’s approach to advancing economic inclusion has become recognized across Canada for its leadership and vision. During our event with Rosemarie, we will look at the value created when infrastructure investments such as the Metrolinks Eglinton Crosstown LRT procure, employ, and respond to community priorities.

When done well, infrastructure has the potential to enable intergenerational change, community engagement, leadership and wellbeing. On May 31, we will draw on the experience of Rosemarie and TCBN to explore how more intentional investment in all large scale development projects holds the potential to address the growing inequalities that concern so many Canadians.

It’s Time.

 

The World is Calling for Better Decisions

How often do we reflect and discuss the Theory of Change that guides the Social Value Movement?

Considering the growth of the movement both in Canada and around the world, not nearly enough.

The ultimate goal of the movement is to improve the well-being of any person, or community of people, impacted by a decision. We advocate that decisions that account for all aspects of value –social, environmental, and economic – are ‘better’, because one form of value hasn’t been falsely prioritized over another.

The social value movement believes that a ‘better decision’ will be defined as one that is informed by truly hearing the experiences of people impacted. It is a decision that identifies impact on people and the planet, values that impact, and seeks to maximize positive impact with the resources available and to be deployed.

We look around us, and the world is calling for better decisions. The principles of social value, the Social Value Standards available to support alignment to principles, and frameworks such as Social Return on Investment (SROI) – these are offered as tools for use towards the goal of making better decisions. We invite all to explore them, and look forward to engaging with you on this essential and urgent journey.

SocialFinanceForum

We are excited to announce our participation and sponsorship of the highly anticipated Social Finance Forum (SFF) 2023. Mark your calendars for June 15-16, as the SFF takes place online, bringing together 1000 changemakers from diverse sectors who are passionate about capital and its potential to shape a better world. 

Stephanie Robertson, our founding Chair of Social Value Canada, will be a featured speaker in the closing plenary on “Re-imagining Capitalism.” Her ideas will challenge us to move beyond impact investing, and instead, integrate impact across business operations.

As sponsors of the Corporate Social Finance track, we are pleased to support two sessions on June 16. The first will explore capital deployment for impact within corporate strategies, as well as what internal practices companies can implement to align themselves with their impact mandates. The second session will focus on the steps corporations take – from exploration to alignment – in centering their strategies around the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We will consider this from the perspective of the UN SDG Impact Standards and the B Lab Standards which help guide decision-making about structuring business operations for impact.

We are pleased to be able to offer our members and followers a 20% discount on up to 50 tickets to this landmark event. Register now at Social Finance Forum 2023 and secure your discounted ticket using “svcmember”.

Changing the Way the World Accounts for Value

Do you have a need to express the value of impact achieved through your work? This is a motivator for many who enrol in social value training – in Canada and in the 16 countries where social value training is offered.

The next course in Canada begins June 19!

This AP2 course covers the tools, principles and global standards used by businesses, charities & non-profit, governments, and impact investors to confidently value and maximize impact. It is an invaluable step toward internationally recognized social value credentials. If you haven’t yet taken the course, be sure to grab a spot! Register Now. If you have taken the course and would like to join colleagues for a refresh or to discuss a particular project, you are welcome at no cost to participation.

And if you can’t join the training in June, the next start date for this Level 2 intermediate course is September 21. Enroll Today.

 

Are You a Social Value Practitioner?

Social value skills – i.e. understanding impact, valuing impact, maximizing impact – are in demand. ESG, Purpose, Sustainability, social project management – these roles are increasingly front and centre across all sectors.

Do you think of yourself as a social value or social impact practitioner? You could be working in any sector. If you see yourself in the way (and we hope you do!) you are probably ready to take the Social Value International Level 1 Practitioner Exam and signal yourself as a social value ‘go-to’ resource in Canada. Learn more & register here. And submit your name for inclusion on the SVC practitioner database!

The SROI Practitioner Pathways is your journey towards international recognized social value credentials. For more information about the SVC/SVI Practitioner Pathway, click here.

 

National Indigenous History Month

As we prepare to commemorate National Indigenous History Month, we want to join the effort to honor and celebrate remarkable Indigenous-led initiatives to tackle economic exclusion through Indigenous-centered solutions.

One such example is Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, based in Vancouver, BC. They take an Indigenous culture-centered approach to impact investing, empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs with the capital, expertise, and resources they need to succeed.

Likewise, there is the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), an umbrella organization for a network of 59 Indigenous Financial Institutions in Canada. They provided 50,000 loans totaling $3 billion to businesses owned by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people.

It is through initiatives like these and the remarkable work of the Indigenomics Institute that Indigenous-led spaces are becoming more prominent. Based in British Columbia, the Indigenomics Institute exemplify the spirit of innovation by embedding Indigenous values into their services, which include research, transformative education, strategic consulting, and impactful advocacy efforts.

We were honored that both Carol Ann Hilton and Shannin Metatawabin, CEO of Indigenomics and NACCA respectively, were speakers at the Social Value Matters 2020 conference. If you missed their brilliant contributions, you can watch a recording of their “Creating Social Value by Growing the Indigenous Economy” session. Click here

 

Attention, Practitioners:

An email invitation is coming your way inviting you and social value practitioners across Canada to join us for a friendly get-together on Tuesday June 20 at 1pm EST. This gathering will be an opportunity to mobilize our growing network, hear about your work in social value, and discuss an agenda for monthly practitioner meetings this Fall designed to support your practice and progress along the Practitioner Pathway. Mark your calendars and watch your inboxes for our invitation!

Become a Social Value Canada Affiliate

SVC Affiliates are organizations that share our Canadian and global vision to address inequality and climate change, through decision-making that seeks to enhance wellbeing for all.

There is no cost to affiliation, merely a mutual commitment to cross-post news, knowledge, and information about training and learning opportunities. SVC affiliates can offer their own members discounted access to SVC ‘happenings’.

As an affiliate you will also receive ongoing recognition as part of our national and international movement on the SVC website, in newsletters, and on social media. Contact us for more details.

Explore the SVI Member Portal

As a member of Social Value Canada, you will benefit from access to the Social Value International Members Area. This online platform provides a space for our Canadian and global communities to connect, collaborate and accelerate our movement for change. You will be able to enjoy a dedicated space for Social Value Canada members as well as connect with international peers who are active in the social value movement.

The SVI members area is designed to facilitate peer-to-peer learning and support, provide improved networking opportunities and enhance your ability to engage and communicate with one another at a national and international level.

The members area contains a wide range of useful features, including:

• a live feed
• discussion forums
• an interactive member directory
• resources
• sub-groups.

This pioneering community contains approximately 3,000 members from 50 countries, drawn from a huge range of different sectors and disciplines. It is designed to help all members to connect with fellow practitioners and professionals, exchange and enhance their skills and knowledge, and network to help achieve personal and professional goals and build our movement for change!

There has never been a more important time to join Social Value Canada and the Social Value International global community and help change the way society accounts for value. Become a member now.