Impact investors can play a major role in fighting inequalities regarding gender and increasing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) for women. This is important as societies that value women and men as equal are safer, healthier and have better economic prosperity. Nonetheless, impact investors face many challenges to be effective and research into the topic is still lacking. To assess how impact
investors can be effective in increasing EDI, this thesis will perform a case study in the form of a system analysis of which the subject will be the Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project (AAWDCP).
This methodology in combination with in-depth interviews led to the identification of a preferred policy for this particular project.
Additionally, the findings led to more general recommendations for impact investors: if they want to enhance EDI in their projects, they must consistently work with local organizations and put the needs of the impacted community ahead of their own KPIs. Furthermore, in order to be able to achieve increased EDI in the projects they finance, impact investors must first increase EDI within their own investment teams.