Call for Exemplar Financing Systemic Transformation Prototypes

Financing the Changes We Need

Financing systems change and transformation is both critically important and notoriously difficult. It requires, and is producing, significant innovation by funders/financiers, implementers and others. Leading examples of financing systemic transformation are being identified for their promotion and further support. The Call for their identification is being undertaken by FEST, a global community of innovators and thought leaders that is advancing the field of financing systemic transformation (FST). FEST was initiated by Catalyst2030 social entrepreneurs around the world. Initiatives may be nominated or self-nominate by completing a form by Nov. 15 that should take no more than one hour to complete. Initiatives may be located anywhere in the world.

Part of the goal of this Call is to identify new and emerging examples of financing systems change that involve an “ecosystem” approach, so all submissions will be greatly valued. This is part of a field-building strategy to raise investment in such initiatives.

What is Financing Systemic Transformation?

The core elements of an FST approach defined by the FEST community are:

1. Resolute commitment to systems change and transformation.
2. Holding a vision of a flourishing and equitable future, or shared governance towards multiple visions of the future.
3. Amplifying relationships and actions/projects for systemic impact, as associated with systemic investing.
4. Organizing financing ecosystems.

Prototype Criteria

Prototype selection will be guided by the following:

1. Been operating formally or informally for at least two years
2. Have access to and have deployed capital directly or through shared governance with decision bodies that deploy capital (capital can include grants, equity, and other forms of capital).
   1. The amount of capital deployed or in a fund in many prototypes is modest.
3. Have financed at least one systems change effort (or portfolio of activities)
4. Development of an “ecosystem stewardship” based on FEST’s definition of financial ecosystem
5. Have a commitment to sharing knowledge & field development
6. See participation in the project as valuable for their own development
7. Can commit time to participate in research (at least 2 participants, at least 3 hours per month) for the duration of the project, estimated to be 3-4 months.

Final Selection Criteria

These will include aiming for diversity among the three prototypes in terms of:

1. Location for the prototype owners: from a range of geographic regions to ensure a variety of perspectives and contexts
2. Starting points such as with a fund, with implementers or with a platform.

Benefits of Participation

1. Recognizing the time required for participation, each selected prototype will be paid $5000.
2. Each prototype will be viewed by a team of nine FEST innovators who each bring experience with a unique perspective about FST development:
   1. Assessment and evaluation
   2. Business models
   3. Development processes and organizing structures
   4. Enabling environments
   5. Mapping of complex systems
   6. Narratives in support of new financing models
   7. Research and knowledge development
   8. Shifting financiers/funders from wealth generation to value creation
   9. Tools, technology and platforms
3. The prototypes will receive individual reports on the nine perspectives to further support their development.
4. The prototypes will be promoted through the wide network of FEST and its members with documents that will describe their leadership in the field of FST.
5. The prototypes will be brought together to share their development stories face-to-face in London March 13-14. They will meet FEST participants to develop a three-year pathway for accelerating development of the field of financing systemic transformation.

For more information contact:

Steve Waddell, FEST Lead Steward [email protected]

or

Jen ven der Meer, Research Lead [email protected]