OP and Finnfund – Establishment of a New Global Impact Fund

We represented OP and Finnfund in the establishment of Finland’s first impact fund that will invest into emerging markets. The OP Finnfund Global Impact Fund I will promote the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in a measurable way while providing an attractive return for investors. As a new type of fund in the Finnish market, the fund will seek systematic and measurable impact, primarily by investing into projects in the fields of sustainable agriculture and forestry, renewable energy and financial institutions. The investments will support mitigating and adapting to climate change, creating sustainable employment, as well as safeguarding affordable and clean energy. The fund will invest in developing countries defined by the OECD. OP Fund Management Company Ltd will act as the Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) of the fund.

OP Financial Group is Finland’s largest financial services group whose mission is to create sustainable prosperity, security and wellbeing for its owner-customers and in its operating region by means of its strong capital base and efficiency. OP Financial Group consists of 143 OP cooperative banks, its central cooperative OP Cooperative, and the latter’s subsidiaries and affiliates. The Group has a staff of 12,000 and 2 million owner-customers.

Finnfund is a Finnish development financier and professional impact investor. Finnfund builds a sustainable world by investing in responsible and profitable businesses in developing countries. Each year Finnfund invests 200–250 million euros in 20–30 projects, emphasising renewable energy, sustainable forestry, sustainable agriculture and financial institutions. Today Finnfund’s investments and commitments total about 800 million euros, half of them in Africa. The company has approximately 80 employees.