The event was a follow-up on the recent launch of a global publication on the same topic by ULI Europe in collaboration with law firm DLA Piper. The place to meet was the management suite of CBRE Investment Management at Amsterdamse Poort, a large-scale (re)development project in which CBRE also has a significant stake.

Circa 25 people, working for institutional investors, architects, municipalities and social housing corporations as well as independent consultants, gathered for a presentation on the report by Lisette Van Doorn (CEO ULI Europe), followed by a lively panel discussion with Wouter Terhorst, representing Dalpha Real Estate, a company that focusses on the integrated development of sustainable neighborhoods, Nicole Maarsen in her role of Chair ULI Netherlands and Ernst Haverkamp, senior associate at DLA Piper and a round table discussion on the topic of impact investing in general.

The purpose of the event was primarily to create awareness as well as to indicate where the industry currently stands when it comes to social impact investing. Below, are the main conclusions from the report:

Social impact is about:
⏩ What (and where) issue is being addressed, what is the net outcome and how important is it for the target audience?
⏩ Who experiences the outcome and how underserved are the stakeholders concerning it?
⏩ How much impact is being generated in terms of scope and depth, and for how long?
⏩ What is the contribution of the activity to the outcome by: investor/manager, portfolio/asset?
⏩ What is the risk to people and the planet if the impact will not occur?

Social impact requires a new mindset more than a new skillset:
⏩ Address wider scope of stakeholders through strategies
⏩ Revisit risk and return dimensions
⏩ Enhance capital allocation models
⏩ Challenge valuation models
⏩ External validation, authentication and certification
⏩ Educate, evidence and engage!

Hurdles to overcome:
⏩ Lack of definitions
⏩ Perception that it sacrifices financial return
⏩ Lack of leadership and vision
⏩ Measurement issues

If you want to know more about social impact investing, receive the report and/or if you want to get involved in ULI and its activities, please contact Maarten Vermeulen, Executive Director a.i., via [email protected].