UK prime minister David Cameron announced in July 2010 that the government would return decision-making powers about local services from the state to the people. His concept of the “Big Society” was designed to encourage communities to safeguard cherished local services and meeting points through voluntary work and charity, and buyout services using social investment.

While many people are still unsure about the true meaning of Big Society, Cameron's sentiment reflects a growing awareness of the concept of social investment - investing money in projects with an emphasis on beneficial causes.