Social impact bonds and their implications for third sector organisations: experiences from the Netherlands

Abstract

The social impact bond (SIB) is defined as a form of payment-by-results scheme combining governmental payments with private investments. This paper explores the motivations and implications of three third sector organisations (TSOs) participating in SIBs in Continental Europe. It offers an understanding of the involvement of TSOs in this type of scheme; and it shares insights about a context that is different from the United Kingdom and the United States – the Netherlands – which presents the opportunity to expand our knowledge about SIBs.

SIBs and the implications on the relationship between social enterprises and the public sector: a case study from the Netherlands

“…Nevertheless, as predominantly expressed by different scholars (see, for example, Clifford and Jung, 2016 or the last call from Broccardo et al, 2020; or generally the work done by GO Lab in terms of research of SIBs), SIBs as research subject needs more analysis and understanding. Specifically, the role of social provider is often marginalised in the scholarly debate (Ormiston et al, 2020), as well as the voice and perspective of the third sector movement are neglected (Patetta and Enciso Santocildes, 2022) despite the demand for SIB schemes from the social sector can contribute to the development of this market (Bengo and Calderini, 2016).…”

“…Specifically, the role of social provider is often marginalised in the scholarly debate (Ormiston et al. , 2020), as well as the voice and perspective of the third sector movement are neglected (Patetta and Enciso Santocildes, 2022) despite the demand for SIB schemes from the social sector can contribute to the development of this market (Bengo and Calderini, 2016).…”