Blog
Increasing access to financial services in developing countries
April 17, 2018
We are partnering with BlueOrchard, a leading global impact investment manager dedicated to fostering inclusive and climate-smart growth. This investment solidifies our portfolio's dedication to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the UN.
BlueOrchard's funds proactively address 13 of the 17 SDGs. The organization was founded in 2001 by an initiative of the UN as the world's first commercial manager of microfinance debt investments. The firm has invested to date more than $4.7 billion across 70 emerging markets.
BlueOrchard shares common goals with Calvert Impact Capital including, fostering the access of the poor and vulnerable to financial means and to mitigate the effects of climate change. Building on common goals, Calvert Impact Capital invested $10 million in BlueOrchard's flagship fund to increase the access of low-income households to financial services in developing countries.
We invested in BlueOrchard's flagship fund to reach sectors and geographies whose needs are not met by traditional financial markets. According to our theory of microfinance, increased access to quality financial products and services will allow more individuals, regardless of income level or geography, to have the means to meet their household and/or business needs and improve their lives. We work with BlueOrchard and other microfinance investing organizations to give more people access to formal financial services.
