Creating the perfect store: first international meeting of social change markets

Imagine this future: you want to donate a small amount of money to an organization that is making a real difference in a poor community, which might be anywhere in the world. Through a simple use of the internet, you can find a range of social investment options matching your criteria, clearly explained, rigorously checked, and o≈ering a broad spectrum of risk. You are also offered a range of ways to invest – a one-off or regular donation, a no-interest loan, even the chance to buy shares. Imagine, in other words an online social change market. How to make this imagined future a reality was the focus of a meeting in Oxford, UK in early July that brought together the representatives of eight social change markets.