Invest directly: Powering change at a grassroots level

Posted by Melissa Gilmour, Ethex, on LinkedIn on 2nd September 2025

Have you ever wondered if your money could be doing more? What if you could invest in projects that not only offered a financial return but also created real, tangible good in your community and the planet? For a lot of us with limited financial experience, the world of investing can seem intimidating and complex, full of jargon and profit-hungry, faceless corporations. It’s an environment that feels disconnected from the issues we care about, such as climate change and social inequality. But did you know that there is a different way to invest, one that is direct, transparent, and built on the power of community action?

The grassroots movement of community energy is a perfect example of this. These are projects, often funded by a collective of "everyday people", that build, manage and own local renewable energy initiatives. Community energy projects have many benefits beyond generating clean power. They help democratise finance, strengthen communities, and take back ownership of a more sustainable future.They are a way for more people to make their money count for more and do good. This kind of direct impact investing gives you what we at Ethex call the "feel good factor", that feeling of pride and connection that comes from knowing exactly where your money is going and what it's achieving. It’s a powerful antidote to the feeling of powerlessness that so many of us experience when thinking about global problems.

An exciting new guide, Wealth with a Why, which is launching soon, tells the story of a couple who discovered the power of community energy firsthand. They found that by investing in a local project,they were able to see a direct, positive outcome from their money. Their investment wasn't just a number on a statement; it was helping to power homes, create local jobs, and build a more resilient community. You don’t need to be a high-net-worth investor to participate. Ethex as a platform, along with others harnessing the power of the crowd, makes it possible to invest with as little as £50 inprojects that are making a real difference. 

Platforms such as Ethex and Energise Africa carefully vet each opportunity that we list, ensuring that they are transparent, impactful, and aligned with ethical principles as well as being financially viable as an investment. They are a bridge between your money and the fantastic ethical organisations and projects that are working on the ground to build a better world. 

By investing in things like ethical bonds, community shares, and Innovative Finance ISAs (IFISAs), our community of investors are participating in a movement that refuses to accept that progress must slowdown. This is about making money matter, not just for you, but for a healthier, more vibrant planet.

The book Wealth With a Why delves into these topics in detail. You can learn more about how to use your money as a force for good in Part 2, The Purposeful Investment Landscape, particularly in the section on Community Shares and Engaging with Impact Investing. The book will show you how direct impact investing can be a powerful part of your own financial journey.

Ready to make your money count for more and do good? You can be part of this movement and invest directly in solutions. Find out how at https://wealthwithawhy.co.uk/.

Why we collaborated on this guide: We chose to participate in this project with Stuart and Stephanie Mills because their personal journey into impact investing embodies the very essence and principles of what Ethex stands for - aligning finance with purpose. The Mills’ story offers a genuine, relatable example of how everyday individuals can think about their money. In collaborating on Wealth with aWhy, we have had the reward of being able to amplify powerful human narratives and educate and inspire others to do the same. 

It’s our hope that more and more people join the Mills family in realising the power they have, through their own financial choices, in driving positive social and environmental change and taking back control of our money to do good.