Shaping the Future of the Diversity Forum: A Strategic Review for Long-Term Impact
Ensuring that equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) remains a core focus within the social investment sector is more important than ever. While our commitment to EDI is unwavering, we recognise that our approach must continue to evolve—to stay relevant, effective, and aligned with the needs of our signatories, social enterprises, and the wider society we serve.
We are currently undertaking a strategic review to help shape the future direction of the Diversity Forum, ensuring that our work reflects the challenges and opportunities of today’s landscape while laying the foundations for deeper impact over the next three years.
Since our inception in 2018, the Diversity Forum has supported a growing community of social investors committed to building a more inclusive and equitable ecosystem. Through research, convening, peer learning, and practical tools—including our Manifesto and EDI Toolkit—we’ve seen the sector begin to take meaningful steps toward change.
However, the journey is far from over.
Why This Review Matters
While there has been progress, inequalities in funding flows, representation, and leadership remain persistent. Meanwhile, wider political and social dynamics pose real risks to EDI becoming deprioritised or sidelined. In this context, the Diversity Forum must adapt and lead with clarity, courage, and accountability.
Our goal is to develop a three-year strategy that is both ambitious and achievable—centred on accountability, sector-wide collaboration, and practical support for organisations working to embed EDI at the core of their practice.
Our Approach: Listening, Learning and Co-Creation
To guide this strategic review, we are:
Surveying the wider sector to gather input on what’s working, where support is needed, and how we can deepen our impact
Speaking with Steering Group members and key partners to shape a shared vision for the future
Reviewing existing tools, initiatives, and commitments, including the self-assessment framework, and the peer learning networks
These insights will help us prioritise our objectives, strengthen our delivery model, and inform the support we offer to the sector going forward.
We Want to Hear From You
Whether you're a funder, social investor, investee, infrastructure body or sector partner—your voice matters in shaping the next chapter of the Diversity Forum.
📝 Complete our short anonymous survey (10 minutes):
Your feedback will help us ensure the Forum remains responsive, inclusive and effective.
What’s Next?
We’ll be sharing early insights and inviting wider conversation at our upcoming stakeholder event on Wednesday 24 September. The event will include a roundtable discussion on the future of EDI in social investment and space for networking and collaboration. Invitations will be shared soon—we hope to see many of you there.
Thank you to all those who have contributed so far, and to those who continue to champion inclusive change in our sector. We’re excited to work with you to shape what comes next.