Who we are
The International Sustainable Finance Centre (ISFC) is an independent and apolitical not-for-profit think tank that specialises in sustainable finance. The organisation is expertise-led and impact-driven, and is built on three pillars: research, capacity building, and convening. The Centre uses expert insight and practical, evidence-based policy solutions to inform public debate and policymaking on sustainable finance and related issues, while helping to build local expertise and capacity on a range of topics, including the EU’s Green Deal, its Sustainable Finance Agenda (Taxonomy, Green Bond Standard, CSDD, CSRD, SFDR), and international ESG standardisation efforts. ISFC does not do advocacy or campaigning work in order not to compromise its expert profile and neutrality.
Our analysis of complex policy issues is available to the widest possible audiences in accessible and easy-to understand formats. ISFC provides expert analysis to better understand the policy developments at the EU level, and how they translate into the local contexts. The Centre offers a meeting point for professionals and anyone interested in sustainable finance, using its convening power to bring some of the world’s most respected thought leaders to the region. ISFC monitors not only European and regional, but also worldwide sustainability thinking and initiatives, providing a knowledge and learning hub.
Our raison d’être is to act as a mouthpiece for the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region, and to strengthen its ability to engage with international debates on sustainability and sustainable finance while building local solutions to leverage new financial tools and mechanisms that can benefit people and planet. For the regional governments, civil society and the private sector, ISFC acts both as a brain trust and a voice in international policy debates. One of its main goals is to act as an amplifier of local and regional perspectives and initiatives.
ISFC is committed to the values of integrity, veracity and dynamism. We believe that to develop and grow, one has to change and adapt. That is why we use collaborative and innovative approaches to our work and projects, working with the greatest range of stakeholders. This ensures that we can always take advantage of the benefits conferred by cognitive diversity and that we do not duplicate work done by other organisations.