the mif blog


Is Latin America poised to become a global leader in impact investing and social entrepreneurship?

By Zachary Levey

On February 16th and 17th I had the chance to attend the Latin American Impact Investment Forum (FLII) in Merida, Mexico. This is the third year that I have participated in the FLII. And each year I have watched the event grow larger, more dynamic, and more international. 


By Zachary Levey


Closing the information gap on social impact bonds

By Zachary Levey

Are Latin American governments interested in paying only for what works? Are there investors who want to link their financial returns to improved social outcomes? Can governments, private investors, and nonprofits work together to solve intractable social problems? These are some of the questions we asked ourselves at the Inter-American Development Bank’s Multilateral Investment Fund, before launching a regional program to support social impact bonds (SIBs) and results-based financing models in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Desde el Reino Unido a América Latina: Lecciones del primer bono de impacto social

By Zachary Levey

Cuando uno piensa en los bonos de impacto social, siempre hay que pensar en el primer caso. En el 2010, la consultoría Social Finance UK lanzó el primer bono de impacto social para ofrecerle a los prisioneros de la cárcel en Peterborough apoyo individual y global con el fin de reducir la tasa de reincidencia. Para alcanzar este objetivo, Social Finance UK cuenta con la asistencia de 17 fundaciones e inversiones de £5 millones. Los asuntos de seguridad pública son una prioridad para gobiernos, empresas, y la sociedad civil a lo largo de América Latina y el Caribe. Para entender mejor cómo podemos llevar las lecciones del caso de Peterborough a nuestra región, lea esta entrevista  con Marta García, parte integral del equipo de Social Finance UK.

Social Impact Bonds gain momentum at the Latin American Impact Investment Forum

By Zachary Levey

Social impact bonds are moving south to Latin America. The innovative financing mechanism, which was first developed in the United Kingdom, allows impact investors – not governments or aid agencies – to provide the working capital to social enterprises serving poor and vulnerable populations. The investors get repaid if social outcomes verifiably improve, as defined through a high-powered results-based contract with the government. Recently, the MIF organized a series of workshops, roundtables, and panels on social impact bonds at the 5th annual Latin American Impact Investment Forum (FLII) in Merida, Mexico where we posed the question: “What will it take?” to bring social impact bonds to Latin America.