Sustainable Investment Awards 2019

Best Impact Fund - Triodos Microfinance Fund

Tim CrijnsThe Triodos Microfinance Fund, which was named Best Impact Fund, invests in financial institutions in developing countries and emerging economies with the aim of bringing finance to underserved client groups, in particular those on low incomes and small and medium-sized enterprises.

"Going along with the dynamic evolution of the financial inclusion sector, the fund will continue to broaden its impact portfolio to support financial institutions that provide innovative digital financial products to the underserved segments as well as institutions that focus on providing access to basic needs such as affordable housing, education, renewable energy solutions and sanitation," said Tim Crijns, manager of the fund.

Launched in 2009, the fund managed €366 million and was invested in 94 financial institutions in 39 countries, as of June 2019.

As of December 2018, portfolio institutions served 18.8 million loan clients and 10.9 million savings clients. 83% of those clients are female borrowers and 46% live in rural areas.

Judges said the fund should be "commended for the breadth of the solutions addressed as well the geographical distribution."