The Economic Justice Program works globally to promote economic systems and practices that build more equitable, sustainable, and democratic societies.
In pursuit of this mission, we make grants to civil society organizations and movements. Through our Soros Economic Development Fund, we invest in businesses that have a positive social impact. We also engage in advocacy to advance our goals, and to provide technical assistance to government on equitable economic growth, governance, and regulation.
The program was launched in 2019, bringing together the work of Open Society’s former Economic Advancement and Fiscal Governance programs.
Upon completion of an inaugural strategy in 2020, we will be sharing our specific goals, objectives, and areas of work. Initially, these will include such topics as labor rights and movement building, anticorruption, corporate capture of the state, and the climate crisis.
Featured Work
Housing Is a Right
How One Community Defended Their Homes and Defeated Private Equity
In New Hampshire, the Open Society Foundations, a community development finance group, and a mix of local investors and residents joined together to keep 874 family homes out of private equity’s hands. It worked.
Impact Investing
India Delivers a Case Study in Successful Impact Investing
The Open Society Foundations adopted an innovative impact investment approach in India—now its success has brought in more private capital to fund businesses that deliver positive social and economic change.
Investing in people
Supporting Smallholder Farmers against Big Agriculture
How can investors best support small-scale farmers in sub-Saharan Africa? By thinking outside the box to raise income for smallholdings. A new debt and equity fund hopes to show the way.