2020 Research Report
CSI trends, forecasts and impacts
As part of our vision to increase impact and enhance value, Next Generation publishes an annual research study that focuses on the social investment and development industry trends.
In this study, we compare development practices globally and continentally. We use extensive research, literature reviews and personal interviews to provide insights on prevailing trends and forecast what the trends for the coming year may be.
These research reports are useful not only because they help organisations anticipate change, but also provide evidence of what works and what doesn’t. They provide insight into the future and what it means in practice for social, community investment and development practitioners in Africa.
This year’s theme:
Disruption with Impact
Download our 2020 CSI Trends, Forecasts and Impacts Research Report
This year, Next Generation’s annual research report is seeing the light quite late in the year.
With good reason. The new year always brings new hope, and trend forecasters are quick to
join the cause to predict positive future scenarios. However, our research indicated that the
social investment and development sector remains in turmoil.
Executive Summary
Historical trends
Have a look at the trends in our research reports from 2015 to 2018. You can see how the industry changed and continues to grow.
- “Do what matters, do what is right, do it the right way.” – 2015
- “Measurement leads to more giving. More giving leads to greater impact. Greater impact leads to sustainable development.” – 2016
- “We cannot move forward to exponential change and impact until we get the basics right… As long as we can provide evidence of what we have achieved, we have made a difference and society is better off because of our efforts.” – 2017
- “By working collaboratively, the sector can collectively harness the power of data and digital.” – 2018
Press releases
"The time has come for social purpose organisations to draw a line in the sand when it comes to accepting funds, creating policies and rolling out plans of action," says Reana Rossouw of Next Generation Consultants, a specialist management consultancy that focuses on impactful social innovation.
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Globally, the development sector stands on the edge of a precipice, says Reana Rossouw, founder and owner of Next Generation Consultants, a specialist management consultancy focused on impactful social innovation.
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Across the globe humanitarian and social purpose organisations are grappling with an uncertain future. Not only is there less money to go around, the sector is becoming more crowded and competitive. In addition, funders, grantmakers, philanthropists and social/impact investors are looking for innovation and new ways of thinking that will bring about greater impact for the communities they aim to serve.
Read more
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Previous Reports
11th Apr 2018
2018 CSI trends, forecasts and impacts – research report
The growth of impact investors and in particular social enterprises, owned and headed up by innovative and brave young social entrepreneurs, combined with corporate social investors’ focus on enterprise development, provided the...
11th Apr 2018
2018 CSI trends, forecasts and impacts – presentation
The days of funding out of a moral or compliance imperative are over; instead, development financing is seen as a good investment, providing valuable returns and commercial opportunity, while contributing to positive and sustainable...
5th Jul 2017
2017 CSI trends, forecasts and impacts – research report
Extensive research report of trends, forecasts and impacts for the social investment and development sectors in Africa. Challenges, opportunities, impact and return on investment....
5th Jul 2017
2017 CSI trends, forecasts and impacts – executive summary
Grantmaking: Executive Summary of research report 2017/2018: Reflections and insights from Africa regarding the social investment and development sectors....
5th Jul 2017
2017 CSI trends, forecasts and impacts – presentation
Grantmaking: Trends, forecasts and impacts - insights and reflections from Africa...
14th Jun 2016
2016 CSI trends, forecasts and impacts – presentation
This presentation follows on previous (2013,2014,2015) presentations and provides an overview of the latest trends as well insight into the future for social, community investment and development practitioners in South Africa....
