Impact

Proparco's impact thesis sets out, using a diagram, its logic of intervention in order to strengthen the contribution of private actors in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, in so doing, fulfil its mission: "Build the future by supporting private sector initiatives for a more just and sustainable world".

It details the linkages between the resources/inputs offered, the players who benefit from them and the activities supported, the outputs measured as part of Proparco's 2023-2027 strategy and the expected outcomes/impacts on development to which these outputs contribute, in line with the priorities defined in the strategy.

The results and impact measurement approach aims first to assess the funding decision by characterizing the expected impacts of the financing five years after its signature. This analysis is based on estimates made at the time of signature – also called ex ante impact estimates – for which attribution is not applied.

The Attributed development impact results represent the share of an investee's impact that is allocated proportionally to the size of the funding by Proparco. Proparco then collects the data needed to inform key indicators during annual impact monitoring campaigns. For this purpose, the development impact results are attributed to Proparco based on a proportional allocation method that considers Proparco’s share of an investee’s impact calculated using a PCAF based method. This method allows us to isolate the impacts of our contribution within a project and avoids potential multiple counts.

Ex-post evaluations of funding may also be carried out on a specific theme and/or sector. These exercises are performed for capitalization purposes, in order to know the real impact of financing, identify the most effective ways to support impact objectives and respond to the growing issues of accountability towards Proparco’s partners.

Project Information Documents detail only ex ante estimates, while the annual impact report also includes ex-post data.

The Impact Data platform enables Proparco to organize the impact data collection from its clients in a reliable and secure manner. You are a Proparco client and you need more information on the Impact Data platform? Contact impactdata@proparco.fr or download the user guide. 

Proparco continued its work on the development of “sector impact sheets”, for internal use, to gain a better understanding of the potential impacts of projects. Each of these sheets identifies:

• the sector’s key economic, social and environmental challenges;
• the ‘impact thesis’ which analyses how the actions implemented can impact objectives;
• project types with high impact potential;
• and recommendations concerning “100% compliance with the Paris Agreement”, climate co-benefits and biodiversity qualification, and reduction of gender, socio-economic and territorial inequalities.

The sustainable development rating system is structured around three main pillars, based on Proparco's strategy for 2023-2027, and seven sustainable development dimensions. It provides a more detailed analysis of the type of impacts that projects can generate. It should also facilitate the analysis and monitoring of these impacts and nurture strategic thinking in terms of impact objectives. 

The 2X Challenge is an initiative launched at the 2018 G7 in Canada, which aims to collectively commit and raise funds for projects that reduce gender inequality. 2X criteria have been devised to help participants identify compatible investments and initiatives.

To calculate the climate co-benefit of its projects, Proparco applies a methodology based on the Common Principles for Climate Finance Accounting, adopted by the multilateral development banks and IDFC members.

Consult the documents:

• Common Principles for Climate Mitigation Finance Tracking
• Common Principles for Climate Change Adaptation Finance Tracking

On 2019, Proparco signed the Operating Principles for Impact Management - a set of 9 principles which provide a framework for impact investing.

These Impact Principles, whose formulation was led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), aim to provide a common standard for what constitutes impact investing and instil greater transparency and discipline in the management of impact investments. The Impact Principles are intended to be a reference point for investors for the design and implementation of their impact management systems, ensuring that impact considerations are purposefully integrated throughout the investment lifecycle. In June 2023, Proparco is one of the 176 signatories to the Operating Principles for Impact Management.

As a signatory to the Impact Principles, Proparco is required to publish an annual Disclosure Statement describing how its impact management system is aligned with each of the 9 Principles, and to provide a regular independent verification report of this alignment (documents available below).

In June 2021, Proparco was elected member of the Advisory Board of the Operating Principles for Impact Management for 2021-2023, along with 10 other Signatories. The Advisory Board provides the Impact Principles Secretariat with advice on the implementation and evolution of the Impact Principles.