Students from the School of Public Affairs present their research at the European Commission

Sciences Po’s Master in Public Affairs (MPA) candidates, Fabiola Conti, Angela Dominguez, Yoko Hatano, Flora Henderson and Samuel Patterson, presented their preliminary work and findings of their policy project, which is part of their final degree requirements, at the European Commission (EC) in Brussels at the end of April. They were accompanied by their Academic Advisor André Quadra, a Master in Public Affairs alumnus and current Sciences Po teacher. 

Under the advice of Giulio Pasi, Policy Officer of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion (DG EMPL), the students are evaluating how to design an oversight framework for the EU impact investing market in order to harmonize how social sustainability is measured and prevent social washing. The report was finalized and presented in June 2023.

During their visit, the students were able to meet representatives from different Directorates-General (DGs) as well as key stakeholders of the European Venture Philanthropy Association (EVPA), a network of capital providers and social innovators striving to facilitate impact investment. These engagements provided a unique platform for the students to discuss their provisional findings derived from extensive research and interviews with experts, which have helped to discover best practices and possible policy directions for a social sustainability measurement framework. These meetings delved into crucial aspects such as defining key concepts,  how to measure impact, the significance of additionality, analyzing existing frameworks and their challenges, the pivotal role of data, and the different forms of social washing.

In addition, the students gained invaluable perspective from internal EU stakeholders about the practical dynamics of implementing such a framework in the European Union. They also learned more about innovative financing models, successful case studies, and the Commission's existing initiatives for advancing social impact investment across Europe, from funding mechanisms to capacity-building programs.

The students shared their objectives for their project: "With our research, we aim to propose an effective approach, framework, and set of criteria that will facilitate social impact investment, minimize negative social externalities, and prevent social washing in the market. We believe that our project, which reflects our diverse backgrounds, will make a meaningful contribution for the Commission."

André Quadra, Academic Tutor for this Project, expressed that “This experience was a great learning opportunity for our brilliant students who presented our preliminary findings, mediated a few round tables, and had the chance to engage with policymakers and gain a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding the social taxonomy, data collection, and political cycles.”

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• The Master in Public Affairs at the School of Public Affairs