Investors in Social economy [Les Investisseurs de l'Economie Sociale] (INAISE)

INAISE is an international network of "social investors" which was created in 1989 building up a network of currently 43 member organisations from 18 different countries (with a European dominance). The explicit goal of the association and its’ members was, and still is, to foster and support the development of financial organisations which invest in enterprises of an ethical, ecological, cultural and self managing nature, including women’s undertakings and enterprises run by ethnic minorities, in enterprises whose aims encompass the needs of disabled people, healthier living, peace and the Third World, in enterprises working within the social economy generally.

The tasks of this secretariat include :

• Collection and dissemination of information on financial experience of the network and other relevant news
• Collection, dissemination of information on European programmes and new directives that concern social finance
• Editing of a Newsletter and an Express Bulletin (sent by fax)
• Constitution of a documentation centre containing information on INAISE organisations and similar investors, as well as on complementary subjects
• Organisation of an annual international seminar on specific and current financial topics, serving as a catalyst for the exchange of information and the creation of collaboration links
• Representation of the network and what it stands for vis-a-vis official international organisations (the European Commission, World Bank, etc) and other organisations.

WWW site lists member associations that are involved in ecological and/or social investment with a short member's profile, e-mail contact and web address. Abstracts of their irregular newsletter are displayed and sent to members by fax. Also hosts an e-mail discussion list on social banking.