Our takeaways from Impact Minds: Latimpacto 2025

We attended Impact Minds by Latimpacto. A space for connection with leaders, innovators, and changemakers from around the world to explore and address the most urgent challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Over three days, we joined talks, collaborative sessions, and workshops focused on financing, partnerships, and impact measurement in the social sector. Here is what we took away:

1. Blended Finance: Collaborative investment for greater impact

Blended finance is a strategy that brings together public, private, and philanthropic actors to mobilize capital toward high-impact projects. This model is gaining traction in Latin America, with examples such as funds from the Brazilian Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank in Colombia.

• Lower risk: By diversifying funding sources, blended finance reduces financial uncertainty.

• Shared language: Clear and common language among funders is essential. Technical jargon creates distance; collaboration brings people closer.

• Aligned expectations: A clear framework and spaces for reflection help stakeholders align and work together.

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2. AI analyzes data. Human context gives it value.

Impact measurement is meaningful when it is grounded in data that reflects human value. While numbers are useful, without the human context behind your cause, they lose their true purpose.

• Data tells stories: AI helps interpret large volumes of data, but it does not replace context or human stories. This is especially true for qualitative data, where “conversation is a deeply human skill.”

• Data without context loses meaning: Trust in data is built by avoiding extractive approaches and returning value to those who share their information.

• Context is critical: AI must be trained with intention and in dialogue with context to avoid reinforcing stereotypes. It is not neutral, nor does it have complete information.

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3. Impact emerges from collaboration and continuous learning

Long-term impact does not depend solely on funding. It also requires building genuine partnerships with organizations and communities. This makes it possible to combine real community needs with the experience of other actors to imagine new social initiatives.

• Innovation listens: It begins with the ability to ask different questions and truly listen to communities. Approaching with an open mind helps solve real challenges and understand that what is a problem for some may be part of others’ culture.

• Failure is learning: When starting something new, the probability of failure is 100%. It is an inevitable and necessary process to identify pain points, learn, and grow. Recognizing crisis can also open opportunities for transformation.

• Systematizing accelerates progress: AI can be an ally in documenting lessons from failed projects so others understand the risks and avoid repeating mistakes.

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At Impact Minds by Latimpacto, we shared insights from hundreds of social sector leaders. Spaces like this allow us to continue driving conversations that accelerate change and help close social gaps in Latin America.

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