Criterion Institute’s Post

Criterion partners with some truly remarkable organizations willing to challenge the status quo and use their power to accelerate systemic change. On November 20 we'll be hosting a gathering to celebrate and share what we've accomplished together this year. If you've ever been curious about how Criterion works, or you have partnered with us in the past, this is an opportunity to learn more about our unique and tested approach to systems change, share what you're working on and, and explore any areas of collaboration. Find out more and register: https://lnkd.in/dre6v6Rh We are hosting the event in two time zones: just select the time that works best for you. And please do tag anyone you think would like to attend in the comments! #systemschange #collaboration #innovativefinance #systemsinvesting Joy Anderson Sanjana Chhantyal Yasmina Zaidman Teresa Wells, CFA Tim Macready Sana Kapadia Luisamaria Ruiz Carlile Michele Kahane Roseline Orwa Michaele Birdsall Vicki Saunders (She/Her) Tine Ward Paul Howorth Julianne Zimmerman Loren Rodwin Raya Papp

Too often when we talk about #gender and #investment, widows are invisible. In the latest episode of the Criterion podcast, Joy Anderson speaks to Roseline Orwa of Rona Foundation about championing widow rights across Africa, where women as young as 16 face pronounced community stigma and financial exclusion. It's a fairly short but deeply thought-provoking conversation. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/dYJFz6bV #widowlens #financialinclusion #socialnorms #powerdynamics #africa 

💡 There are 5️⃣ components to embedding a successful translation function within #innovativefinance organizations:  1. Structures intentionally designed to enable meaningful coordination  2. Cultural norms that value the contribution of gender and finance and the intersections between the two  3. Processes for carrying out translation  4. Business models that support the function  5. Frameworks that integrate gender and finance We'd love to see #donoragencies aligning their innovative finance programs with the boldest ambitions of their social and gender policies. #localized knowledge and insights are key to bringing those ambitions to life. #criterioninstitute #localization

As we reflect on our time as part of the ARISE consortium, we’re hearing some great stories from partners and grantees about how mindsets around #power – and its relevance to financial #systems - have shifted. Would love to know what the investors, intermediaries and government actors in this community think (please do share with relevant people in your networks!). And, if you would like to explore more on the topic of power dynamics and its relevant to advancing impact through financial systems, we've got several podcasts on the topic that you might enjoy - link in comments. 2X Global Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs #investing #socialfinance #genderlensinvesting #impact #powerinpractice

This is insanely exciting for Criterion. Our core mission is about expanding who sees themselves as able to use finance as a tool for change. So many boundaries to share knowledge of finance, language is one. Hence my absolute joy at seeing a printed toolkit in another language. The first. Let’s do more!!!

What if? And What Now? Part of the reason we want to name different futures is to get people out of their biases about how they see the present - to believe that there are hopeful futures that are investable and that more can be done than taking a defensive stance, particularly when there’s bias at play: whether you’re looking at an undervalued market, or geography, or population. In this episode of the Criterion podcast, Joy expands on the importance of Valuing the Future of Equality, and why hope - grounded in rigorous research and clear steps forward - is a critical tool in the investor's social change toolkit. #reimaginefinance #powerinpractice #socialfinance https://lnkd.in/dfGhgRP2

Well, this is exciting. After *many* years of delivering our TOOLKIT training on using finance as a tool for social change, this is the first time we have done it in another language. 🇱🇰 Thank you to World University Service of Canada (WUSC - EUMC) for translating the TOOLKIT into Tamil and facilitating this training in Jaffna. If you've not attended a TOOLKIT before and would like to experience one, you're invited to join us virtually (free) on 14 October - link in comments. #training #innovativefinance #socialchange

Overheard at the GRIT retreat in Sri Lanka: a gender lens is an opportunity not a screen. #reimaginefinance #genderlensinvesting cc Mumtaz Aroos Faleel

Over the last few days in Sri Lanka with World University Service of Canada (WUSC - EUMC) we have heard many hopeful examples of people using their power differently, implementing advanced practices and seeing new possibilities in existing systems and sectors. We loved Market Development Facility (MDF)’s story about the introduction of digital weighing scales in a smallholder tea network in Sri Lanka. Women make up 65% of farmers and often lose income because of weight tampering - the introduction of the scales eliminated this loss and led to an addition 120 farmers coming to the network. “I think that was a good example of ethical practices benefiting businesses as the farmers preferred working with factories that used accurate scales, making their supply chain more stable and reducing operational risks, reflected Sanjana Chhantyal, part of the Criterion team in the room. #powerinpractice #reimaginefinance #genderlensinvesting #impactinvesting #advancedpractice #GRIT Katie Turner Susie Pan Mumtaz Aroos Faleel