Social impact bonds - Private finance that generates social returns

Social impact bonds are a results-based form of social impact investment. Private investors provide capital to launch or expand innovative social services that provide a public good. If the expected social benefits are achieved at the end of a given period, investors receive back their capital plus a rate of return negotiated with public authorities and varying with the level of results achieved). Social impact bonds are increasingly common in the United Kingdom, as well as in the United States and Australia, and have begun to be used in a number of other EU Member States.