Announcement
Finance for Peace publishes version 3 of the Standards
The Standards Committee has approved version 3 of the Finance for Peace Standards: the reference against which investments are certified for the Peace Stamp and their implementation independently verified. It is published today and applies to all applications from this date.
Version 3 is the first edition of the Standards issued by Finance for Peace as an independent standard-setter. It consolidates the Peace Bond and Peace Equity Standards developed under Interpeace into a single document that applies across instruments, and it sets out in one place what an investment must build in to reduce the conflict risks it faces, and how an independent verifier checks each year that they are delivered.
Three changes matter most for project owners, issuers and investors. The requirements for context analysis, stakeholder mapping and engagement are now specified in enough detail to be verified rather than asserted. Each peace measure in a project plan must carry a cost, a funding source, an owner and a measurable indicator before certification can be granted. And the annual review is defined as a condition of holding the Peace Stamp, with the grounds on which certification can be withdrawn set out for the first time.
“A standard is only useful if a risk committee can rely on it. Version 3 was written with the project owners, issuers, investors and verifiers who will use it, and it asks for evidence at every step rather than intent. That is what will let the market price these investments on what they actually do.”
The Standards were revised through consultation with members of the Market Network and with the verifiers and peacebuilding organisations expected to work inside the first certified transactions. Comments received during the consultation, and the Committee’s response to them, are published alongside the Standards.
Version 3 replaces version 2.0, issued as an interim copy in June 2023. Transactions already in preparation against version 2.0 may complete their application under it until 31 March 2027.
the three headline changes, the transition date for version 2.0 applications, and the quotation with Arne Hassel.
About Finance for Peace
Finance for Peace is an independent, not-for-profit standard-setter. It sets the independent Standards, designed to uncover and reduce conflict risks, benefitting communities and making investments more attractive and likely to succeed. Phase 1 is supported by the Swedish Government.
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