UK Pilot Shows Social Investment Effective in Tackling Homelessness, Researchers Say
A Manchester Metropolitan University report finds that a UK government pilot designed to attract social‑investment capital for homeless housing delivered better placement outcomes while keeping public costs flat. The initiative leveraged private‑sector funding mechanisms, such as social‑impact bonds, to finance rapid‑rehousing projects. Early data indicate higher success rates and faster transitions from rough sleeping to stable accommodation. Researchers suggest the model could be expanded across the country without additional taxpayer burden.
From Aspiration to Mainstream: BlueOrchard’s CEO on 25 Years Financing the Underserved
BlueOrchard celebrates its 25‑year milestone as a Zurich‑based impact investor with $5.6 bn (≈$5.1 bn) in assets under management, having disbursed more than $14.5 bn to SMEs, financial institutions and climate projects across 100+ countries. The firm has broadened its investor base, attracting...
UK Impact Investor EKA Ventures Closes Second Fund at £80m
UK‑based impact investor EKA Ventures has closed its second fund, raising £80 million (approximately $102 million). The new capital will be deployed into early‑stage ventures that address socially beneficial challenges, notably preventative healthcare and affordable housing. The fund follows a similar strategy...
Smaller DFIs Can Make a Big Difference, Says Head of Belgium’s BIO
Belgium’s development finance institution BIO, marking its 25th year, approved 22 investments worth €217 million ($236 million) in 2024, with a target of €230.5 million ($251 million) for 2025. The DFI’s revised operating framework emphasizes smaller ticket sizes of €2‑28 million ($2.2‑$30.5 million) and a portfolio...
Impact Investors Back Ghanaian SME Financing Platform
European development finance institutions Norfund and Axis Pension Trustees have jointly invested in Ghanaian fintech Growth Investment Partners. The partnership supplies local‑currency loans and hands‑on business support to underserved small and medium‑sized enterprises across Ghana. By providing cedi‑denominated financing, the...
UN-Led Report Calls on Development Finance Actors to Adopt Impact Focus
A UN‑co‑led multi‑agency review released after last year’s Seville development finance summit calls on development finance institutions to shift from volume‑based disbursements to an impact‑first approach. The report stresses greater cooperation among DFIs, multilateral banks and private partners to avoid...
Impact Investor Forum: One Month to Go
The Impact Investor Forum returns on May 14 in London, focusing on how impact‑driven strategies can fortify pension and institutional portfolios against heightened volatility. Organisers will showcase practical case studies across healthcare, housing and climate, illustrating how thematic impact investments...
German DFI Makes Multimillion EU-Backed Investment in Sustainable Manufacturing in Bangladesh
Germany’s development finance institution (DFI) has pledged a multimillion‑Euro, EU‑backed investment—estimated at €10 million (about $10.9 million)—to support sustainable manufacturing at Bangladesh’s Banga Building Materials. The funding will accelerate the company’s circular‑economy processes, replacing conventional plastics with bio‑based alternatives. By embedding EU...
Making the Case for Social Investing in Pensions
Columbia Threadneedle argues that pension funds are uniquely positioned to scale social impact investing, citing the recent performance of the Big Issue social bond fund. The fund’s results show returns comparable to conventional fixed‑income benchmarks while delivering measurable social outcomes....
EIB Backs Biodiversity Credit Fund with €60m Guarantee
European Investment Bank (EIB) has issued a €60 million (≈ $65 million) guarantee to support a new biodiversity credit fund. The guarantee is designed to unlock private capital for early‑stage projects across Europe that generate measurable biodiversity outcomes. By backing companies and initiatives...
How a Leading Dutch Pension Fund Set Out Its Impact Investing Future
In 2023 KPN Pensioenfonds, an €11 bn Dutch pension scheme, pledged to allocate 5 % of its assets to impact investing by 2026, with half of that earmarked for green bonds. The fund embedded ESG policies across all asset classes while safeguarding...
Axian Energy Reaches Financial Close on DFI-Backed Senegalese Solar Project
Axian Energy has secured a €90 million (~$98 million) financing package to build a 90‑MW solar farm in Senegal, marking one of the largest utility‑scale solar projects in West Africa. The development, backed by European development‑finance institutions, reached financial close and will...
Local Investor Support for Infrastructure Projects Is Vital, Says PIDG CEO
Philippe Valahu, CEO of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), warned that investors from emerging markets and their global partners must increase capital for infrastructure as traditional development assistance wanes. He emphasized that local financing is essential to sustain large‑scale...
EIB Global Agrees $200m Green Financing for Vietnam’s Techcombank
European Investment Bank’s global arm has committed a $200 million green financing facility to Vietnam’s Techcombank. The loan will be deployed to expand the bank’s lending for renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable transport projects. This partnership aligns with Vietnam’s push...
New Report Urges Corporates to Play Active Role in Social Impact
The Macquarie Group Foundation released a new report urging corporations to take an active role in driving social impact through catalytic capital and strategic partnerships with impact intermediaries. The analysis emphasizes that European capital is increasingly directed toward impact‑focused investments,...