EcoEnterprises Fund: green impact investor led by women

BIO, the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries, is supporting an impact fund that aims to create thriving communities in flourishing nature in Latin American and the Caribbean.

Is it inevitable that doing business will come at the cost of nature and people? The EcoEnterprises Fund is already proving otherwise. For over 20 years, this fund led by women has been investing in companies that are helping humanity and the planet get ahead. It is no coincidence that the focus is on Latin America and the Caribbean. After all, that region harbours 60% of the world's biodiversity, over 30% of all freshwater and almost 50% of tropical forests.

Genuine sustainability

The companies selected by the EcoEnterprises Fund all hold genuine sustainability in high regard. They protect and restore valuable ecosystems through sustainable forestry and eco-tourism, among other things. Or they make use of agroforestry or regenerative agriculture. Combatting deforestation and the degradation of soil and oceans, while at the same time increasing food security? It's possible!

Other companies also have some climate solutions to offer. These include alternative proteins, agricultural technology and the circular economy. Companies led by women are one up on the game. Particularly when they collaborate with the local population – including native communities – to raise incomes and develop more just societies.

In short, the core of the EcoEnterprises Fund approach consists of the recognition that biodiversity, climate action and social equality are strongly intertwined. Only when flourishing nature comes together with thriving communities can we talk about genuine sustainability.

2.5 billion dollars in sales figures

No wonder that BIO, the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries, saw a reliable partner in this green impact investor. In 20 years, the sustainable community companies in the EcoEnterprises Fund portfolio have achieved 2.5 billion dollars in sales figures, in collaboration with more than 2,000 local communities.

And in 2022 alone, 2.6 million hectares of land have been protected and sustainably managed, 10 million tonnes of organic waste have been treated or revalued and 557,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents have been stored. In addition, 304,000 local people have been reached, 143 women have attained their leadership and 92 million dollars have been paid out in wages.

Great resilience

The approach – with sustained patience and firm dedication to long-term partnerships – also leads to great resilience. This was how all the companies in the portfolio survived the aftermath of the 9/11 attack in 2001, the financial crisis in 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic unscathed.

BIO invested 7 million dollars into the EcoEnterprises Fund and made 250,000 dollars available for the Technical Assistance Fund. As such, the EcoEnterprises Fund provides the companies in which it invests, with technical assistance in terms of gender equality, digitalisation and ESG criteria (Environmental, Social and corporate Governance), among other things.