News in the spotlight: ImpactA backs solar project of 52 MW in Colombia
ImpactA has committed to an innovative solar project in Colombia developed in partnership with a local indigenous community. The initiative emphasizes co‑creation and community ownership: project design, siting and governance have been shaped through consultation with community leaders to align energy delivery with local needs, cultural values and land‑use priorities.
Products and Services
EURAZEO announces first closing of maritime sector focused fund at EUR 175mn
Eurazeo has reached a first close of EUR 175 million for its Eurazeo Sustainable Maritime Infrastructure II (ESMI II) fund, surpassing its EUR 125 million target and approaching half of the EUR 400 million final size, just six weeks after launch in December 2025. As an Article 9 fund, ESMI II targets senior secured asset-based financing to drive the decarbonisation of Europe’s maritime sector, addressing capital-intensive needs amid tightening environmental regulations. The strategy focuses on small- and mid-sized shipowners in marine transportation, offshore renewables, and port infrastructure, prioritising assets with cutting-edge sustainable technologies to cut emissions and boost efficiency. Momentum is evident: two investments already finance eco-friendly newbuild vessels for Dutch mid-sized owner Longship Group B.V., with a pipeline supporting 20-30 operators. Building on the success of ESMI I—Eurazeo’s inaugural Article 9 fund—ESMI II delivers measurable impact alongside returns, advised by maritime specialist Elbe Financial Solutions.
ImpactA backs solar project of 52 MW in Colombia
ImpactA has committed to an innovative solar project in Colombia developed in partnership with a local indigenous community. The initiative emphasizes co‑creation and community ownership: project design, siting and governance have been shaped through consultation with community leaders to align energy delivery with local needs, cultural values and land‑use priorities. The project combines distributed solar generation with storage and local capacity building, aiming to improve energy access, reduce reliance on diesel, and generate economic opportunities through jobs and skills transfer. ImpactA’s role includes financing, technical support and frameworks for social and environmental safeguards, alongside plans for monitoring impact metrics such as household energy reliability, emissions reductions and livelihoods outcomes. The announcement highlights blended finance elements and scalable design features intended to make the model replicable across other rural and indigenous territories in Colombia and the region.
COFIDES invests in social impact investment fund
COFIDES, Spain’s state-owned development finance company, has committed EUR 3.9 million from its Social Impact Fund (FIS) to Phitrust Partenaires Inclusion (PPI), a French-managed Article 9 private equity vehicle targeting sustainable SMEs and mid-caps in the social economy across Europe. The investment catalyses Phitrust’s first major push into Spain, where it plans to allocate EUR 8 million to address financing gaps in housing, employment, healthcare, and vulnerable populations. At nearly EUR 60 million, PPI has invested in 14 companies in France, Italy, Belgium, and Spain, focusing on job inclusion, disability integration, circular economy, ageing populations, and social entrepreneurship. Backers include the European Investment Fund (EUR 20 million), Mirova, Crédit Mutuel, and family offices, blending financial returns with measurable social outcomes. COFIDES CEO Ángela Pérez highlighted the deal’s additionality and catalytic effect, drawing international capital to Spain’s nascent social economy and amplifying FIS’s role in scaling impact financing.
Regulations, Law and Frameworks
EU bans destruction of unsold clothes and shoes, mandates reuse and public reporting
The European Commission has adopted binding measures to stop the deliberate destruction of unsold clothes and shoes and to steer textile and footwear production toward circularity. Under the new rules, companies placing products on the EU market must prioritise reuse, donation, repair, remanufacturing and recycling over destruction, and they must document and publicly report how unsold items are handled. Producers and large retailers will face stricter obligations through extended producer responsibility schemes, transparency requirements and enforcement by member states. The measures are framed to reduce waste, conserve resources and lower the environmental footprint of the sector while protecting consumers and secondary markets. The rules complement broader EU textile and product-design initiatives, encouraging durable, repairable and recyclable products and discouraging overproduction and disposability. Non-compliance will trigger sanctions at national level and companies are expected to adjust supply chains, sales and inventory practices accordingly.