2021 is a special year for us as we celebrate our 20th anniversary. Over the past 20 years, we have remained true to our mission to fight poverty, inequality, and climate change. We are convinced that sound impact measurement and management tools are a prerequisite for achieving both a positive and sustainable impact and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In 2021, an exceptional year for the entire world, we all have been struggling with the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. For the first time in two decades, extreme poverty has risen again, with lasting consequences especially for the world’s most vulnerable.
We are proud of increasing our impact in these unprecedented times. This was only possible with your continuous support and trust in BlueOrchard.
We look forward to the next 20 years and the impact we will be able to achieve together.
Across the world and, particularly, in emerging and frontier markets, individuals excluded from financial services are among the poorest of the population. BlueOrchard’s support for a sound, sustainable, and inclusive financial sector is thus crucial to reach the underserved, thanks to investments that support job creation, female empowerment, and reduction of inequalities.
Figures as of June 2021
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Education is key for a self-determined life and a prosperous and inclusive society. By financing loans to students, learners, and education providers in Africa, BlueOrchard fosters affordable and quality education.
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Developing countries are the most vulnerable to the consequences of climate change and have the fewest resources to cope with them. With its investments in climate change adaptation and mitigation, BlueOrchard aims at strengthening the resilience of vulnerable households and MSMEs to extreme weather events, as well as financing a sustainable and low-carbon future.
Figures as of June 2021
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Since inception, we have invested in over 90 countries, covering Africa, Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, and Asia. We invest in institutions that share our values and that consider positive social and environmental impact essential to their mission.
We are a leading global impact investment manager, connecting millions of entrepreneurs in emerging and frontier markets with investors. Our aim is to make impact investment solutions accessible to all, advancing the conscious use of capital. BlueOrchard-managed funds generate a positive impact on society and/or the planet, consistently measured across all our offering.
Meet 12 inspiring people who have put a small amount of money to work in a big way. Take a trip across four continents to learn how impact investing is empowering people.
This is My Story –
Giving a face to 20 years
of impact investing
Our book is available on Amazon
“Because of the loan I have been able to expand my business and contribute to my household, helping to support my family.”
Rajwadi
Tailor from India
“I started with just 9 hectares. Today, I have 50 hectares. Because of the El Niño phenomenon I have lost land as it caused flooding and afterwards the soil dried up.”
Cesar Julio Salirosas Pacheco
Fruit and vegetable farmer, Peru
“Without our school many young children would not have the opportunity to receive any kind of education.”
Lucy Wilfred
Principal from Tanzania
“When we arrived as refugees, I had no job and was very worried about the future. Today, I am a fruit producer and have up to 10 people working for me.”
Jemal Bigvava
Fruit producer from Georgia
“At the beginning, we had nothing, no capital, no materials. The loan has helped us to buy raw materials and to pay the people who support us in making the products.”
Lucia Andrea Vega Prado
Artisan from Peru
“I currently employ 15 people across two factories and sell products to wholesalers all over India and beyond. I would like to have more than 100 employees.”
Rakesh Showa
Stove producer from India
“Thanks to eight loan cycles over the past 20 years, I have been able to grow my business and build my own home from scratch.”
Grace Kissiri
Animal farmer from Tanzania
“It is very important to me to be able to help and support my family, and I am proud that the various businesses can allow me to do this.”
Vladimer Qarqashadze
Guest house owner from Georgia
“Setting up and expanding our business has given us financial stability, independence and freedom, allowing us to live our dream.”
Elene Kiladze
Dressmaker from Georgia
“I was raised around agriculture but decided to move to the city and start my own business – looking for better opportunities and to improve my health.”
Viter Laban Peña
Grocery store owner from Peru
“My dream is to be known for my great designs. I also want to continue supporting my family and I hope that my daughter may take over the business.”
Rashida Begam
Tailor from India
“The loan has allowed me to build more greenhouses and expand my range of produce. However, a big challenge is climate change. Sometimes I can really feel it happening.”
Simon Deogratus
Vegetable farmer from Tanzania
Being a global company with a local presence, BlueOrchard has for more than 20 years established and maintained a strong network of institutions which is fundamental to deliver on the company’s multiple impact goals.
Figures since inception
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We are a trusted partner of major development institutions as well as other key players, and we actively promote industry best practices through leading initiatives.
BlueOrchard is deeply committed to contributing to the achievement of the SDGs. With our investments, we address 14 out of the 17 SDGs. Read here how we make a positive contribution to each of these goals.
SDG 1
No Poverty
Access to financial and related products and services is considered an enabler to end poverty. We contribute to SDG 1 by providing much-needed funding to poor and vulnerable individuals in emerging and frontier markets.
SDG 2
Zero Hunger
Access to financial and related products and services to small-scale food producers is considered an enabler to achieve food security and promote sustainable agriculture. We contribute to SDG 2 by securing access to funding for small-scale farmers in emerging and frontier markets.
SDG 3
Good Health
and Well-Being
Access to financial and related products and services tailored to affordable healthcare is instrumental to improve universal health coverage. We contribute to SDG 3 by funding institutions with an earmarked healthcare portfolio addressing the needs of the poor and vulnerable in emerging and frontier markets.
SDG 4
Quality Education
Providing funding to institutions that offer education financial products and services to low income populations in developing and frontier markets reduces inequalities driven by lack of education and relevant skills. We contribute to SDG 4 by increasing the outreach to students, learners, and affordable private education providers in Africa.
SDG 5
Gender Equality
Access to financial and related products and services tailored to women ensures greater economic empowerment for all. We contribute to SDG 5 by providing funding to investees with an MSME portfolio serving female clients.
SDG 6
Clean Water
and Sanitation
Providing access to clean water and sanitation services is a basic human right and is key for people’s health in emerging and frontier markets. We contribute to SDG 6 by targeting organisations that improve access to drinking water or install waste water treatment plants.
SDG 7
Affordable and
Clean Energy
Ensuring an enduring supply of energy while respecting the environment is crucial for sustainable development. We contribute to SDG 7 by investing in organisations that advance solar or wind energy in emerging and frontier markets.
SDG 8
Decent Work and
Economic Growth
Access to financial and related products and services is considered an enabler to promote growth of MSMEs and job creation. We contribute to SDG 8 by targeting investees with an MSME portfolio and measure the job opportunities created or maintained.
SDG 9
Industry, Innovation
and Infrastructure
Including innovative businesses in the financial system enables new approaches on existing challenges and contributes to achieving a sustainable advancement of societies. We contribute to SDG 9 by supporting innovative small-scale businesses.
SDG 10
Reduced
Inequalities
Reducing disparities between and within emerging and frontier markets is essential for sustainable development. We contribute to SDG 10 by directing our investment mainly to emerging and frontier markets, focusing on ODA* countries. Our investees pre-eminently support inclusive businesses and entrepreneurship in least developed countries and low and middle income countries.
*Official development assistance
SDG 11
Sustainable Cities
and Communities
Safe and sustainable cities are needed to cope with the growing world population and ensure decent life and economic development. We contribute to SDG 11 by providing capital for investees that offer affordable housing loans.
SDG 12
Responsible
Consumption and
Production
Meeting the world’s increasing demand for food and consumption goods while respecting the environment during the production process is a challenge yet to be solved. We contribute to SDG 12 by investing in waste management and recycling and basic infrastructure.
SDG 13
Climate Action
Climate change is among the biggest threats to human societies today. Extreme weather events particularly affect the poor and vulnerable in emerging and frontier markets. We contribute to SDG 13 by investing in climate adaptation strategies, improving access to and the use of insurance. We measure the number of climate insurance beneficiaries.
SDG 17
Partnerships for
the Goals
Mobilisation of private investments in developing and frontier markets is key to achieve sustainable objectives. Over time, we have specialized in blended finance structures, leveraging the capital invested to the benefit of emerging and frontier markets. We measure the volume of private investments directed to emerging economies.
Surveys were conducted on 1,502 end clients from India, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Myanmar between Q4 2020 and Q2 2021 to assess the impact of loans provided by BlueOrchard’s investees.
75%
Increase in quality of life
38%
Improved ability to save
46%
Increase in income
63%
Improved ability to plan finances
53%
Loan used to grow business
97%
No challenges when interacting with MFIs*
*Microfinance institution
90%
Increase in quality of life
82%
Improved ability to save
58%
Increase in income
84%
Improved ability to plan finances
32%
Loan used to grow business
97%
No challenges when interacting with MFIs*
*Microfinance institution
72%
Increase in quality of life
22%
Improved ability to save
32%
Increase in income
44%
Improved ability to plan finances
27%
Loan used to grow business
91%
No challenges when interacting with MFIs*
*Microfinance institution
88%
Increase in quality of life
57%
Improved ability to save
94%
Increase in income
85%
Improved ability to plan finances
92%
Loan used to grow business
93%
No challenges when interacting with MFIs*
*Microfinance institution
BlueOrchard is committed to the development of the impact investing industry and to the alignment of its product offering to industry best practices.
LuxFLAG Microfinance label awarded for the first time to BOMF
BlueOrchard has been receiving it for BOMF and other funds in the following years as well
BlueOrchard launches first Social Performance Impact Reporting and Intelligence Tool (SPIRIT)
BlueOrchard becomes signatory to the UN Principles of Responsible Investments
BlueOrchard supports the creation of the SPI4 Alinus tool for Microfinance Institutions
BlueOrchard collaborates with GIIN to conceptualize the Navigating Impact Project
JAWEF qualifies for the 2x Challenge
BlueOrchard actively contributes to the conceptualization of the Operating Principles for Impact Management
BOMF independently verified in alignment with Operating Principles for Impact Management by Tideline/Bluemark
Covid-19 Support Fund and IIF qualify for the 2x Challenge
LuxFLAG Climate Finance label awarded to IIF
Towards Sustainability label awarded to IBF
BlueOrchard certified as carbon neutral company
BlueOrchard contributes to the conceptualization and launch of GIIN's IRIS+ Impact Core metrics system
BlueOrchard launches the B.Impact Framework
LuxFLAG Microfinance label awarded to REFFA and JAWEF
BlueOrchard's public asset B.impact framework independently verified in alignment with Operating Principles for Impact Management by Tideline/Bluemark
The BlueOrchard team consists of experienced and versatile professionals in offices around the world, enabling BlueOrchard to operate effectively in its target markets. Our goal of inclusion is reflected in equal and fair employment opportunities. We strive to lead by example, promoting diversity and inclusion in our corporate approach.
52%
of staff working
in regional offices
40 nationalities
33 languages
Compensation linked to the company’s
investment, social & environmental
performance
0
+
members
of staff
35
average
age
11 years
of experience on average among
investment professionals
Our investments address 14 out of the 17 SDGs. We also support projects contributing to complementary SDGs already tackled by our investment offering.
BlueOrchard staff raised money for charitable donations.*
*Supported:
· Spark-A-Change Foundation’s Digital Literacy Program in Bombay, India
· Papua Child Aid Foundation for the creation of the Coral Reef Garden in Raja Ampat, Indonesia
· the orphanage home “Chemi Sakhli” in Tbilisi, Georgia by providing digital learning tools
In 2020, BlueOrchard supported the Kariba forest protection project in Zimbabwe with its 2019 carbon credits, resulting in a compensation of 216 t CO2 offset.
BlueOrchard will plant 218 trees in the Amazon Rainforest as part of its Instagram campaign.
BlueOrchard was awarded with the climate neutral company 2020 label by ClimateCare in 2021.*
*BlueOrchard is part of Schroders carbon offset program that has been developed with ClimateCare. The program will primarily support the protection and generation of natural carbon sinks in Brazil (Agrocortex), Kenya (TIST* reforestation) and Sierra Leone (Gola rainforest protection).
*International Small Group Tree Planting Program
