CERTIFIED EXPERT IN ESG & IMPACT INVESTING

Certificate Course

Your next career step starts here

Discover how to turn ESG criteria and Impact Investing into actionable strategies that shape sustainable portfolios. In the Certified Expert in ESG and Impact Investing, you'll gain the tools to integrate nonfinancial objectives seamlessly into mainstream finance and create measurable impact.

Select your learning path - 100% online for total flexibility, or blended with on-campus sessions for real-world interaction and networking.

Duration

6 months

Language

English

Format

Online or Blended

Price

Online Course

Early Bird: EUR 1,600 | Regular Fee: EUR 1,900

Blended Course

Ealry Bird: EUR 2,700 | Regular Fee: EUR  3,100

 

Discover how to turn ESG criteria and Impact Investing into actionable strategies that shape sustainable portfolios. In the Certified Expert in ESG and Impact Investing, you'll gain the tools to integrate nonfinancial objectives seamlessly into mainstream finance and create measurable impact.

Select your learning path - 100% online for total flexibility, or blended with on-campus sessions for real-world interaction and networking.

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Your benefits
Target group
Registration
Methodology
Content
Course Outline
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YOUR BENEFITS

This course gives you a comprehensive foundation in ESG and Impact Investing and empowers you to become a changemaker in sustainable finance:

  1. Explore ESG and Impact Investing fundamentals, understanding their links to mainstream finance.
  2. Become familiar with key strategies for ESG quality assurance and learn how to embed them across the investment process.
  3. Gain hands-on insight into sustainable financial instruments, legal constructs, disclosure standards, and reporting practices.
  4. Learn to apply regulatory knowledge and navigate issues such as greenwashing to drive meaningful, trusted impact.
  5. Gain an accredited certification (6 ECTS credits)

TARGET GROUP

This programme is ideal for professionals and executives seeking to make finance more impactful. It is relevant for those working in international development finance institutions, multilateral donor organisations, institutional and pension investors, insurance firms, asset and fund managers, family offices, philanthropic investors, rating agencies, and technical assistance providers. It also supports financial institutions in developing economies that aim to deliver both financial and non‑financial returns

No deep pre-existing knowledge of ESG or Impact Investing is needed. This programme welcomes professionals from diverse backgrounds who wish to enhance their credentials with practical and strategic skills in sustainable and impact-driven finance.

REGISTRATION

Online Course

Before January 15: EUR 1,600
After January 15: EUR 1,900
01 March - 31 August 2026
BOOK HERE

Blended Course

Before January 15: EUR 2,700
After January 15: EUR 3,100
01 March - 31 August 2026
BOOK HERE

REGISTRATION

Online Course

Before January 15: EUR 1,600
After January 15: EUR 1,900
01 March - 31 August 2026
BOOK HERE

Blended Course

Before January 15: EUR 2,700
After January 15: EUR 3,100
01 March - 31 August 2026
BOOK HERE

METHODOLOGY

Online or Blended: Choose the Learning Style That Fits You

Online Format

Our self-paced, asynchronous online courses are designed for professionals who want to upskill on their own time—without putting work on hold. Gain international expertise and practical tools you can apply right away.

  • Flexible learning — study anytime, anywhere
  • Practical content with real-world examples
  • Expert support when you need it
  • Optional live sessions (all recorded for your convenience)

Complete the full curriculum and earn your Certified Expert in ESG & Impact Investing certificate upon successful completion.

 

Blended Format

Combine online learning with a 2-day Masterclass for deeper insights and valuable networking.

The on-site sessions complement selected online units, helping you explore key topics in greater depth. This optional “add-on” is ideal for those seeking more interaction and hands-on learning.

  • Engage in practical discussions with peers and trainers
  • Expand your network with professionals from around the world
  • Earn two certificates:
    Certified Expert in ESG & Impact Investing + Certificate of Attendance

Join a global community of professionals advancing their careers through flexible, high-quality learning.

CONTENT

In this programme, you’ll progress through carefully structured units designed to equip you with both theory and real-world application. You’ll begin by understanding ESG criteria and Impact Investing within traditional finance. Then explore the historical and theoretical context, before mastering quality assurance approaches across the investment cycle. The course also takes you through integrating ESG and Impact into financial instruments and finishing with practical insights into disclosure and reporting standards, including emerging regulations.

COURSE OUTLINE

UNIT 1

Introduction and Overview: What are ESG Criteria and Impact Investing

This introductory unit provides you with an understanding of how ESG criteria and Impact Investing relate to traditional mainstream finance.

It familiarises you with major stakeholders, initiatives, and approaches for integrating non-financial issues into the day-to-day activities of investing. Key concepts and themes are introduced, which establish foundations for a learning journey that will be expanded upon over the subsequent units.

UNIT 2

Historical and Theoretical Context

ESG and Impact Investing are orientated within different operational contexts: from asset management through direct investment to advisory services, etc.

 This unit helps you understand what is relevant for your context, whilst also making you aware of other requirements you may encounter in adjacent parts of the industry. It contextualises the historical evolution and theoretical development of ESG and Impact Investing to show how they complement each other, and to demystify why some narratives about managing non-financial factors appear to be fragmented and conflicting. Conceptual structures are presented that help you apply theory to praxis via a unified framework.

UNIT 3

A Quality Assurance Approach to Managing ESG Issues and Impact

There are different strategic pathways available to manage ESG and Impact factors.

Each pathway represents a different level of methodological intensity. You will be introduced to the techniques and tools that are relevant for each, and learn how to choose the pathways that are most suitable for your needs or circumstances. This unit also clarifies how these strategic pathways align with operational mindsets such as compliance, risk management, as well as proactively managing performance against non-financial goals. 

UNIT 4

Integrating ESG and Impact Management in the Investment Process

Each of the strategic pathways for managing ESG and impact can be integrated at every stage of the investment process: from deal sourcing and due diligence, through ongoing investment management, to final exit or contract maturity.

These all follow the same high-level process that aligns with the Deming quality management cycle. This is applied with different levels of intensity and granularity depending on the strategic pathway being followed. You will learn how this process can be deployed across all asset classes, across publicly traded securities and private over-the-counter transactions, and by retail investors as well as institutional investors. 

UNIT 5

Integration of ESG & Impact Feature into Financial Instruments

This unit starts with an introduction of traditional asset classes and financial instrument (a refresher for anyone familiar with both investing and philanthropy).

You will learn how ESG and impact features are incorporated into financial instruments. This can be achieved either by enhancing traditional instruments with additional requirements and obligations, such as with Green Bonds, or by developing innovative instruments and hybrid models that introduce new contractual and financial arrangements, such as Social Impact Incentives. 

UNIT 6

Disclosure and Reporting of ESG & Impact

There are currently no universally accepted standards for reporting non-financial information, although there are several voluntary frameworks and norms established by industry initiatives.

You will learn about the key regulations and legal requirements that are currently in various stages of development, notably by the European Commission. The unit also covers key trends, selected best practices, and challenges to help you navigate the various ratings, labels, certifications, and evaluation methods that are available. The challenges and opportunities in data collection are outlined, which explains why information from different providers of data and ratings is often weakly correlated. 

COURSE OUTLINE

UNIT 1

Introduction and Overview: What are ESG Criteria and Impact Investing

This introductory unit provides you with an understanding of how ESG criteria and Impact Investing relate to traditional mainstream finance.

It familiarises you with major stakeholders, initiatives, and approaches for integrating non-financial issues into the day-to-day activities of investing. Key concepts and themes are introduced, which establish foundations for a learning journey that will be expanded upon over the subsequent units.

UNIT 2

Historical and Theoretical Context

ESG and Impact Investing are orientated within different operational contexts: from asset management through direct investment to advisory services, etc.

 This unit helps you understand what is relevant for your context, whilst also making you aware of other requirements you may encounter in adjacent parts of the industry. It contextualises the historical evolution and theoretical development of ESG and Impact Investing to show how they complement each other, and to demystify why some narratives about managing non-financial factors appear to be fragmented and conflicting. Conceptual structures are presented that help you apply theory to praxis via a unified framework.

UNIT 3

A Quality Assurance Approach to Managing ESG Issues and Impact

There are different strategic pathways available to manage ESG and Impact factors.

Each pathway represents a different level of methodological intensity. You will be introduced to the techniques and tools that are relevant for each, and learn how to choose the pathways that are most suitable for your needs or circumstances. This unit also clarifies how these strategic pathways align with operational mindsets such as compliance, risk management, as well as proactively managing performance against non-financial goals. 

UNIT 4

Integrating ESG and Impact Management in the Investment Process

Each of the strategic pathways for managing ESG and impact can be integrated at every stage of the investment process: from deal sourcing and due diligence, through ongoing investment management, to final exit or contract maturity.

These all follow the same high-level process that aligns with the Deming quality management cycle. This is applied with different levels of intensity and granularity depending on the strategic pathway being followed. You will learn how this process can be deployed across all asset classes, across publicly traded securities and private over-the-counter transactions, and by retail investors as well as institutional investors. 

UNIT 5

Integration of ESG & Impact Feature into Financial Instruments

This unit starts with an introduction of traditional asset classes and financial instrument (a refresher for anyone familiar with both investing and philanthropy).

You will learn how ESG and impact features are incorporated into financial instruments. This can be achieved either by enhancing traditional instruments with additional requirements and obligations, such as with Green Bonds, or by developing innovative instruments and hybrid models that introduce new contractual and financial arrangements, such as Social Impact Incentives. 

UNIT 6

Disclosure and Reporting of ESG & Impact

There are currently no universally accepted standards for reporting non-financial information, although there are several voluntary frameworks and norms established by industry initiatives.

You will learn about the key regulations and legal requirements that are currently in various stages of development, notably by the European Commission. The unit also covers key trends, selected best practices, and challenges to help you navigate the various ratings, labels, certifications, and evaluation methods that are available. The challenges and opportunities in data collection are outlined, which explains why information from different providers of data and ratings is often weakly correlated. 

COURSE OUTLINE

UNIT 1

Introduction and Overview: What are ESG Criteria and Impact Investing

This introductory unit provides you with an understanding of how ESG criteria and Impact Investing relate to traditional mainstream finance.

It familiarises you with major stakeholders, initiatives, and approaches for integrating non-financial issues into the day-to-day activities of investing. Key concepts and themes are introduced, which establish foundations for a learning journey that will be expanded upon over the subsequent units.

UNIT 2

Historical and Theoretical Context

ESG and Impact Investing are orientated within different operational contexts: from asset management through direct investment to advisory services, etc.

 This unit helps you understand what is relevant for your context, whilst also making you aware of other requirements you may encounter in adjacent parts of the industry. It contextualises the historical evolution and theoretical development of ESG and Impact Investing to show how they complement each other, and to demystify why some narratives about managing non-financial factors appear to be fragmented and conflicting. Conceptual structures are presented that help you apply theory to praxis via a unified framework.

UNIT 3

A Quality Assurance Approach to Managing ESG Issues and Impact

There are different strategic pathways available to manage ESG and Impact factors.

Each pathway represents a different level of methodological intensity. You will be introduced to the techniques and tools that are relevant for each, and learn how to choose the pathways that are most suitable for your needs or circumstances. This unit also clarifies how these strategic pathways align with operational mindsets such as compliance, risk management, as well as proactively managing performance against non-financial goals. 

UNIT 4

Integrating ESG and Impact Management in the Investment Process

Each of the strategic pathways for managing ESG and impact can be integrated at every stage of the investment process: from deal sourcing and due diligence, through ongoing investment management, to final exit or contract maturity.

These all follow the same high-level process that aligns with the Deming quality management cycle. This is applied with different levels of intensity and granularity depending on the strategic pathway being followed. You will learn how this process can be deployed across all asset classes, across publicly traded securities and private over-the-counter transactions, and by retail investors as well as institutional investors. 

UNIT 5

Integration of ESG & Impact Feature into Financial Instruments

This unit starts with an introduction of traditional asset classes and financial instrument (a refresher for anyone familiar with both investing and philanthropy).

You will learn how ESG and impact features are incorporated into financial instruments. This can be achieved either by enhancing traditional instruments with additional requirements and obligations, such as with Green Bonds, or by developing innovative instruments and hybrid models that introduce new contractual and financial arrangements, such as Social Impact Incentives. 

UNIT 6

Disclosure and Reporting of ESG & Impact

There are currently no universally accepted standards for reporting non-financial information, although there are several voluntary frameworks and norms established by industry initiatives.

You will learn about the key regulations and legal requirements that are currently in various stages of development, notably by the European Commission. The unit also covers key trends, selected best practices, and challenges to help you navigate the various ratings, labels, certifications, and evaluation methods that are available. The challenges and opportunities in data collection are outlined, which explains why information from different providers of data and ratings is often weakly correlated. 

STUDY JOURNEY

BOOK HERE
Step
01

Register

The course starts twice a year, on 1 March and 1 September
Step
02

Participate

6 months, 100% online, self-pace, self-study, few deadlines
Step
03

Pass the Exam

Online, offered twice a year
Step
04

Get Certified

Receive your e-certificate

MODULE OF

ONLINE

Master of Leadership in Sustainable Finance

Recognised as elective module

Benefit from an Alumni discount and have the course credited when you continue to the Master of Leadership in Sustainable Finance.

BLENDED

Diploma in Green Finance

Recognised as core module

Benefit from an Alumni discount and have the course credited when you continue to the Diploma in Green Finance.

BLENDED

Diploma in Financial Inclusion

Recognised as elective module

Benefit from an Alumni discount and have the course credited when you continue to the Diploma in Financial Inclusion.

BLENDED

Diploma in Risk Management

Recognised as elective module

Benefit from an Alumni discount and have the course credited when you continue to the Diploma in Risk Management.

MODULE OF

ONLINE

Master of Leadership in Sustainable Finance

Recognised as elective module

Benefit from an Alumni discount and have the course credited when you continue to the Master of Leadership in Sustainable Finance.

BLENDED

Diploma in Green Finance

Recognised as core module

Benefit from an Alumni discount and have the course credited when you continue to the Diploma in Green Finance.

BLENDED

Diploma in Financial Inclusion

Recognised as elective module

Benefit from an Alumni discount and have the course credited when you continue to the Diploma in Financial Inclusion.

BLENDED

Diploma in Risk Management

Recognised as elective module

Benefit from an Alumni discount and have the course credited when you continue to the Diploma in Risk Management.

MODULE OF

ONLINE

Master of Leadership in Sustainable Finance

Recognised as elective module

Benefit from an Alumni discount and have the course credited when you continue to the Master of Leadership in Sustainable Finance.

BLENDED

Diploma in Green Finance

Recognised as core module

Benefit from an Alumni discount and have the course credited when you continue to the Diploma in Green Finance.

BLENDED

Diploma in Financial Inclusion

Recognised as elective module

Benefit from an Alumni discount and have the course credited when you continue to the Diploma in Financial Inclusion.

BLENDED

Diploma in Risk Management

Recognised as elective module

Benefit from an Alumni discount and have the course credited when you continue to the Diploma in Risk Management.

Download key programme information

Download your brochure now to explore the programme and learn how Frankfurt School can support your professional journey.

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Mariam Narsia

Programme Assistant

e-campus@fs.de

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