The Invest for Better (IfB) initiative has been a successful program enabling and supporting values-aligned investing in the USA. Based on Janine Firpo’s book, Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World, the European versions of the IfBC EU as well as the books, are translated and adapted to better reflect the realities of French, German, Polish and Spanish markets.

Course Structure

The content of the Core Curriculum is delivered over 5 modules, during which participants meet in a group of 8 to 20 retail investors. Discussions and exercises during the meetings take place in a combination of small and large groups to provide participants with both intimate settings and broader learning opportunities.

Prior to each session, participants perform a short self-study to prepare for the conversations and discoveries that take place during the meetings. Participants are able to ask questions during live sessions with financial and other experts, which are conducted on a regular basis.

Outcomes

By the end of the Core Curriculum, participants will have:

  • Joined a safe trusted space to share their money stories, aspirations, concerns, and successes
  • Understood – perhaps for the first time – how they are currently invested, why they are invested that way, and how they can improve the financial and social impact of their portfolios
  • Learned about new ways of investing, explored values-aligned opportunities, and discussed the best ways to take advantage of these options
  • Completed simplified worksheets and self-study to better prepare for their currently ongoing or future investments

Course Content

The Core Curriculum was designed to build retail investors’ confidence, demonstrate the power of their investments, and show them how to activate those resources to enable a more just and sustainable world for all. Structured to guide participants through a series of steps, the self-study and meetings build on each other. Recognising the busy lives we all lead, the course creators strove to minimise the pre-work and to make each meeting interactive, engaging, and informative. Prior participants have commented on the critical difference this course has had on their attitude about, and relationship with, their money.

Module 1 – Introduction to Investing


Overview of your financial assets and liabilities and how/why to value-align your own investments.

Invest for Better Climate EU Worksheet 1.xlsx

Module 1 Introduction to Investing.pptx

Module 2 – Climate Lens Investing


What are the ongoing initiatives and standards which retail investors should be aware of and adhere to, when making an investment decision?

Invest for Better Climate EU Worksheet 2.xlsx

Module 2 Climate Lens Investing.pptx

Module 3 – Industry Insights


An overview of the currently existing sustainability and climate driven financial instruments available to retail investors in European countries.

Invest for Better Climate EU – Worksheet 3.docx

Module 3 Industry Insights.pptx

Module 4 – Climate Related Financial Risks


Understanding the relationship between climate risks (and opportunities) and how it relates to financial risks.

Invest for Better Climate EU Worksheet 4.xslx

Module 4 Climate Risk and Opportunities .pptx

Module 5 – Greenwashing


How to spot and avoid greenwashing and how to report it? Ensuring your investments are protected from greenwashing practices.

Invest for Better Climate EU Worksheet 5.xslx

Module 5 Greenwashing.pptx