The term "impact project" is not universal and is not commonly used across all sectors.
Popular in social innovation, sustainable finance, and philanthropy circles, the term "impact project" remains unfamiliar to traditional NGOs and conventional businesses.
It’s a matter of vocabulary!
NGOs tend to speak of development projects or humanitarian actions; companies refer to CSR projects or sustainable innovations. In these contexts, the word "impact" often refers to a measurement, not a category of project. Understandably so—NGOs were built on the principle of having an impact!
It’s a relatively recent concept. Emerging from the intersection of social entrepreneurship and finance, the term refers to a project seeking a positive and measurable social or environmental impact, combined with a viable economic model.
Depending on the stakeholder, terminology varies. An NGO or an International Organization may refer to a solidarity initiative or sustainable development project.
A company might speak of a CSR project or a positive-impact innovation.
The same ideal, different words.
So why use the term "impact project"? Impact finance has sparked a major movement around this idea. Impact investing or engaged philanthropy—and often both at once (a donation combined with investment, known as blended finance)—aims to direct money towards tangible results.
We’re talking about €4 trillion per year split between €1.5 trillion in impact investments and €2.5 trillion in donations exclusively targeting impact projects!
A unique and, above all, free document exists to help readers understand where the money comes from, the amounts involved, what these funds aim to finance, and how. It is the White Paper for Agile Finance and Impact Projects], published by the Geneva Foundation for the Future to gather all key knowledge into one coherent and meaningful guide.
Measuring impact: a vital lever for any project
Measuring impact is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.
An NGO, for example, which has always aimed to create impact, would greatly benefit from improving how it measures impact on the ground. In 2019, WWF, Amnesty International, and Objectif Sciences International all found themselves simultaneously seeking simple tools to help their local chapters better assess the real effects—both short-term and long-term—of their actions. The 2019, 2020, and 2021 editions of the Geneva Forum made great strides on these issues, in partnership with the Fab Foundation (a global federation of 100,000 fab labs), to refine these tools—above all, ensuring they remained as simple as possible.
Whether you’re a business, nonprofit, or startup, evaluating your social or environmental outcomes concretely helps determine whether you’re truly acting where you claim to be.
This measurement informs strategic decisions, helps redirect the business model toward what creates the most real value, and—most importantly—reassures funders, donors, and partners about the project’s credibility.
In short, without measurement, there is no proof. And without proof, it’s difficult to grow or attract support, new clients, or new donors.
It’s also important to know which kind of impact you’re referring to. Are we talking about direct impact, or longer-term effects? In the latter case, we’re talking about systemic impact.
With that in mind, the Geneva Foundation for the Future and the Geneva Forum brought together—over two years (2022–2023–2024)—a hundred financiers, major donors, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, NGO and International Organization representatives to create the "AGILE" tool, a simple day-to-day solution, designed to serve as a fast, universal benchmark in the dense forest of indicators and tools that have emerged from all sides.
Creating value by solving global challenges
The United Nations, UNDP, and major institutions of International Geneva affirm it: the economy of tomorrow will be an impact economy.
Both public and private actors are now invited to demonstrate that their activities generate sustainable profit by addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Impact investment funds are flourishing.
This is what is now called an impact project: an activity that combines economic performance, measurable innovation, and societal contribution.
Discover: Impact Project Accelerator
What is an impact project?
An impact project is an initiative that:
- addresses a real need identified in the SDGs,
- creates shared value (economic, social, environmental),
- proves its results through measurable indicators,
- and attracts investors because it is profitable precisely by solving a global problem.
Concrete example:
A company producing bio-based construction materials is not just “going green”:
it reduces emissions, relocalizes production, creates jobs, and improves profitability through sustainable innovation.
Additional links:
- Transforming a changemaker idea into an impact project
- Scaling an impact project into a viable and profitable economic model
Why impact has become a global strategic criterion
Because the largest financial and intergovernmental institutions — UN, World Bank, UNDP, OECD — as well as Development Banks (European Investment Bank, etc.), public, regional, and private, now require proof of impact before investing or financing.
Impact projects:
- are eligible for new forms of hybrid financing (blended finance, green bonds, venture philanthropy...),
- meet the new expectations of donors and investors,
- strengthen the credibility of public and private actors,
- and position organizations within the new regenerative economy.
Discover the AGILE tool to assess impact performance and become eligible for these types of financing.
The life cycle of an impact project
- An idea (changemaker idea),
- A proof of concept (prototype / field pilot),
- A viable and scalable business model, an AGILE due diligence,
- Shared and aligned governance,
- An investment strategy combined with impact measurement.
The Geneva Forum structures this journey to accelerate the transition from idea to market, and from market to systemic transformation.
- Link: Accelerate your projects
The AGILE tool: a common UN / Finance / Innovation framework
Developed by the Geneva Foundation for the Future, the AGILE tool is used as a reference by foundations, investors, and international organizations that wish to assess the maturity of an impact project with a single, simple, and rapid tool serving as a common standard across the wide diversity of measurement frameworks (ESG, IRIS+, etc.).
The 5 AGILE criteria families:
- Alignment — consistency with the SDGs, public policies, values of investors, donors, and project leaders,
- Governance — transparency, cooperation, accountability, circular economy,
- Intention — strategic purpose and sincerity of objectives, systemic impact,
- Leadership — capacity for influence, mobilization, growth, or scaling up,
- Efficiency — economic, operational, and social performance, project’s ability to last over time.
Link: Read the AGILE White Paper
The role of the Geneva Forum: catalyzing impact alliances
Each year, at the UN and across Geneva, the Geneva Forum brings together:
- business leaders,
- government representatives,
- institutional investors,
- researchers and NGOs,
to transform ideas into investment projects generating profits aligned with the SDGs.
The Forum acts as an intermediation hub connecting projects, capital, and public policies.
From philanthropy to impact profit
Traditional philanthropy alone is no longer enough.
New economic models rely on hybrid financial instruments:
- seed philanthropy,
- blended finance,
- social bonds,
- transition funds,
- public-private impact partnerships...
The Geneva Forum and the Geneva Foundation for the Future support project leaders in designing profitable, measurable, and attractive models for major impact investors.
Discover the Impact Finance - Philanthropy, Investment and Blended Finance Geneva Forum conference.
How to submit or join an impact project
Whether you are a company, NGO, International Organization, local authority, or investor:
- Submit your impact project to the Geneva Forum.
- Receive an AGILE assessment and personalized coaching.
- Access networks of experts, funders, and international organizations.
Link: Submit your proposal
In summary
An impact project is not just a good intention — it is a strategic business model aligned with the SDGs, measurable, scalable, and attractive to investors, transforming the world while generating sustainable jobs that give meaning to everyone.
The Geneva Forum is the interface between innovation, governance, and financing — where projects become concrete economic levers serving the planet and prosperity.