Glossary
Backer
The backers, also called donors, sponsors, investors or funders, are the individuals or organisations that selflessly or in exchange for some reward invest in the project to be financed.
Behavioral Economics
The study of how psychological, cognitive, and emotional factors affect economic decision-making.
Bond
A financial instrument where an investor lends money to an organization, such as a government or company, in exchange for regular interest payments and the return of the principal at maturity.
Brand
Brand refers to the identity and story you build around your product or service, as well as the emotional connection you establish with your audience.
Branding
Branding, in simple terms, refers to the process of building and managing the perception of a brand in the minds of consumers.
Business Model
An organisational system of transactions designed to identify opportunities and create value in a changing market environment (Amitt & Zott, 2001).
Business Plan
The business plan is a written document that presents your business creation project in its entirety. It is the result of all the studies you have carried out for your project in a single document
Choice Architecture
The organization of choices in a way that influences decision-making, a foundational concept in nudging.
Circular Economy
An economic system that focuses on minimizing waste and making the most of resources. It aims to keep materials and products in use for as long as possible through recycling, reuse and sustainable design, reducing the need for virgin resources.
Conflict
the nature of the relationship between several individuals or groups, when they behave without any consideration for the interests or satisfaction of others or even seek to harm them.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is an alternative financing tool, very extended nowadays, which is based, as its term indicates, on the contribution of funds for a purpose, by a large number of people who believe in the project. We could also call it collective financing, which is carried out online.
Dominant Economic Model
The current global economic system, often characterised as linear and degenerative, which follows a "take-make-waste" approach, resulting in resource depletion and social inequalities.
Engagement
Engagement is the level of emotional commitment, active interaction and affinity that a person has with a brand, product or content. It is about building a meaningful and lasting connection with the audience.
Environmentalimpact
ESG finance
EU Taxonomy
A classification system established to define environmentally sustainable economic activities. It helps investors, companies and policymakers identify activities that contribute substantially to environmental objectives, while ensuring no significant harm to other objectives.
Fixed-Income Investment
An investment type, such as a bond, that provides predictable returns in the form of regular interest payments over time.
Governance
Green Deal
The European Green Deal is the European Commission's roadmap for making the EU economy sustainable by becoming climate-neutral by 2050. It includes initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect natural capital and ensure an inclusive transition for all.
Greenwashing
The practice of marketing a financial product, like a green bond, as environmentally beneficial without having a genuine positive environmental impact.
Hybrid Business Model
A business model that combines elements of for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
Impact economics
Impact Entrepreneurship
A form of entrepreneurship that prioritizes creating social or environmental value alongside financial returns.
Impact Investing
Investments made with the intention to generate social or environmental impact alongside a financial return.
Just Transition Mechanism
A Green Deal initiative aimed at ensuring no one is left behind during the green transition. It provides financial and policy support to regions and workers most affected by decarbonisation efforts, focusing on job creation, economic diversification and social inclusion.
Leadership
The act of guiding individuals or groups toward achieving shared goals, often in innovative or impactful ways.
Naming
Creation of a unique brand name.
Nudge
A concept from behavioral economics where subtle interventions influence people's choices without restricting options, promoting desired behaviors.
Paternalism
action that limits a person's or group's liberty or autonomy and is intended to promote their own good
Pay-for-Success Model
A funding mechanism where private investors fund social programs and receive returns only if measurable outcomes are achieved, commonly used in Social Impact Bonds
Project Management
Is a structured approach to achieving specific goals within a defined timeframe and budget. Managing a project involves planning, organizing, and controlling resources to deliver what is planned. Therefore, It is essential to coordinate tasks and manage risks.
Recovery and Resilience:
The European Commission's framework under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) to mitigate the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It supports reforms and investments by EU Member States to make economies more sustainable, resilient and better prepared for green and digital transitions.
Reward-based
In this type of crowdfunding, the project owner offers some kind of reward, in the form of a product or service, to the user in exchange for the donation. This product can be, for example, a copy of the product, a special edition, etc., and can be adapted to the level of contribution.
SDGs
Sustainable Development Goals are determined by the United Nations. Under the 2030 Agenda, 17 Sustainable Development Goals were agreed, which are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of people around the world.
Sludge
sludges make a process more difficult with the goal of creating friction, which makes the consumer less likely to continue the process.
Social Entrepreneurship
The practice of starting businesses aimed at solving social issues.
Social impact projects
Are all those that, although not directly aimed at social causes, have an indirect positive impact on society. This impact can be on the environment, contributing to sustainability, responsible consumption, people's health and safety, peace and justice, diversity and inclusion, in short, anything that contributes to the well-being of people and the planet.
Social skills
refer to the set of interpersonal abilities that enable individuals to interact effectively, build relationships, and communicate constructively with others in various social and professional contexts. These skills include active listening, empathy, collaboration, conflict resolution, and adaptability. In a management context, strong social skills are essential for fostering teamwork, motivating employees, and navigating diverse perspectives to achieve organizational goals.
Socialproblems
Stakeholder Engagement
The process of involving individuals or groups that have an interest in the outcomes of a business venture, including customers, employees, investors, and the community.
Storytelling
Storytelling is a technique used to communicate ideas, values and emotions through stories.
Supply Chain
The entire network of individuals, organisations, resources and activities which are involved in producing and delivering a product or service to the final consumer.
Sustainability
The ability to maintain or improve standards of living without damaging natural resources.
Sustainabilityfinance
Sustainable development
in management refers to the integration of economic, social, and environmental dimensions into organizational strategy and practices. It requires managers to make decisions that meet the needs of current stakeholders while safeguarding resources and opportunities for future generations. This involves fostering responsible governance, promoting social equity, reducing environmental impact, and driving sustainable innovation to create long-term value.
Technical Cycle
The cycle within the circular economy that focuses on revalorising non-biodegradable materials like plastics, metals and chemicals by reusing, repairing or recycling them to retain value within the economy
The Biological Cycle
The cycle within the circular economy that manages biodegradable materials, ensuring they are safely reintegrated into the biosphere to build natural capital.
The principle of Non-linearity
Changes in projects do not always follow a linear progression. A small initial modification can trigger a series of exponential improvements.
The Theory of Change
It is a methodology that maps out the steps necessary to achieve a long-term goal : Inputs, Activities, Outputs, Outcomes, Impatcs.
The value proposition
The value proposition determines the value perceived by the customer (willingness to pay).
Theory of Change
A comprehensive description and illustration of how and why a desired change is expected to happen in a particular context, often used as a framework for planning and evaluation.
Traditional Entrepreneurship
A business approach primarily focused on maximizing profit and shareholder value, often without explicit consideration of social or environmental outcomes.
