What are Social Stock Exchange (SSE) and its eligibility criteria?

The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has received in-principle approval from the capital markets regulator Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to set up a Social Stock Exchange (SSE) as a separate segment.

Background:

• Proposals were made by the government in the Union Budget of 2019-20 to create a platform for listing social enterprises and voluntary organizations.
  • Sebi says non-profit organizations that work on eradicating hunger, poverty, and inequality, among other activities, can list on an exchange
• The Economic Survey 2021-21 highlighted the concept of setting up a social stock exchange (SSE).

About Social Stock Exchange (SSE):

• SSE will be a separate segment of the existing stock exchanges.
• SSE is a platform that allows investors to invest in select social enterprises or social initiatives.
• It may be listed on BSE or NSE.
• Countries like the UK, Canada, and Brazil have SSEs.
  • These countries allow firms operating in social sectors to raise risk capital.

• The fundraising is proposed through several instruments such as zero-coupon-zero-principal bonds, social venture funds, and mutual funds.
• Aim of SSE: The aim is to help social and voluntary enterprises to raise capital in form of equity or debt or a unit of the mutual fund.
• The government had announced a new security called “zero coupons zero principal” to enable fundraising for not-for-profit organizations.

What are 'zero-coupon, zero-principal instruments?

• These are financial instruments that any non-profit organization can use to raise funds.
  • Usually, such organizations raise money through donations from individuals or corporates.
• Those willing to donate money to their cause can buy these securities.
• It resembles a debt security like a bond.

How does it work?

• The SSE lists non-profit organizations (NPO) on stock exchanges.
• NPOs are establishments that work for the welfare of society or the community and are set up as charitable associations.
• The SSE aims to provide them with an alternative fund-raising avenue.

Need for it:

• The pandemic highlighted the need for greater capital investments toward voluntary organizations and enterprises working for social welfare.
• The SSE will help in this aspect by channelling greater capital to such organisations.

But why donate in this complicated manner?

• This new tool gives more insight into how your donation will be used (Transparency).
  • Organizations listed on the exchange will need to do regular audits of social impact.
  • These will be disclosed to all stakeholders (much like it is done by for-profit entities on regular stock exchanges).
• Flagging Fund Seekers: If an organization issues these instruments and has few takers, it can be a red flag for other donors.
  • The interested may then want to dig deeper before signing that cheque.
• Integrating capital markets to social welfare: It can be seen as a government initiative to take our capital markets closer to social welfare.

Eligibility criteria for SSE:

• Social enterprises that are eligible to participate in the SSE will have to be NPOs and for-profit social enterprises having social intent.

Entities not eligible under the present rules include:

• Corporate foundations
• Professional or trade associations
• Political and religious organisations
• Infrastructure and housing companies, except affordable housing.