Partners
BIO relies on partners to benefit from their experience and presence on the ground as well as to run co-financing projects. Its close links with large international donors allow it to also work as a catalyst by mobilising additional capital.
TeamBelgium
While the Belgian State is BIO's sole shareholder, the company recognises its accountability to a broader community. This includes Belgian taxpayers, civil society organisations, and fellow impact investors. BIO actively fosters collaboration with these stakeholders to maximise its impact on development goals.
BIO works hand-in-hand with other key players in Belgian development cooperation. This includes the directorate-general for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD), the Belgian development agency Enabel, and civil society organisations.
Impact Finance Belgium
BIO is a member of Impact Finance Belgium (IFB), a membership association that aims to increase the share of impact capital in Belgium. IFB unites diverse actors committed to measurable social and environmental impact alongside financial returns.
EDFI
BIO has been a member of EDFI (European Development Finance Institutions) since 2001. EDFI is an association of 15 European bilateral Development Finance Institutions. Its mission is to foster cooperation among its members and to strengthen their relationship with the institutions of the European Union, principally with the European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
EDFI sets out to create synergies between the various institutions, to develop joint procedures and to pinpoint the investment opportunities that can lead to co-financing.
In 2004, ten members of the EDFI concluded a
framework agreement with the EIB in order to create the EFP (European
Financing Partners), a European initiative based in Luxembourg. The
funds given to the EFP are used to finance SME projects in the ACP
countries. Via EFP, BIO has strengthened its partnerships with other
Development Finance Institutions, in particular the EIB, and expanded
its presence in Africa.
EDFI portfolio by region
Other partners
In addition to European counterparts, BIO also participates in investment projects with other donors and international financing institutions such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the European Investment Bank (EIB), etc.
We also participate to the TCX Fund, which allows us to hedge our investments in foreign currencies.
Memberships
To support organisations with similar aims as ours and to initiate impactful partnerships, BIO is a member of a number of organisations.