BNP Paribas SA

03/27/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/27/2024 17:01

Financing societal innovations: watch a video highlighting BNP Paribas’ commitment via impact bonds

  • Sustainable finance

Financing societal innovations: watch a video highlighting BNP Paribas' commitment via impact bonds

Published on 27.03.2024

Since the French Government's first call for projects launched in 2016, BNP Paribas has supported projects operated by players in the social and solidarity economy via impact bonds. Fully fledged levers for transforming public policies and creating social value, impact bonds tackle issues as varied as the social integration of the vulnerable (people with disabilities, refugees, etc.), the protection of childhood, maintaining independence for senior citizens and food waste.

Transforming the local economy through impact bonds

The very first impact bond in France aimed to integrate people in isolated rural areas over the long term, primarily through the creation of sustainable micro-businesses in these territories. Maha Keramane, Head of BNP Paribas' Positive Impact Business Accelerator (PIBA), explains how this works.

Discover more projects supported by BNP Paribas

BNP Paribas continues to develop new projects, bringing the number of impact bonds signed since 2016 to 28, of which 21 are still active in March 2024.

For instance, the Group has launched a bond for the prevention of falls by the elderly in the Netherlands and another for the fight against period poverty in Ethiopia, in partnership with CARE and AFD, not to mention an ecological impact bond to create a circular economy chain for medical equipment.

More recently, on 29 February 2024, BNP Paribas launched a new impact bond with Mozaïk RH to combat discrimination in hiring, while fostering inclusive recruitment. The association works in universities to help students on scholarships and/or from a priority urban district find professional opportunities that match their potential, whatever their profiles: coaching, job search assistance, putting them in contact with employers. The objective? Improve the employability of 3,000 students in 3 years and support companies in the systemic transformation of their recruitment policy towards greater diversity and inclusion.

Watch Maha Keramane's interview at the 2024 edition of ChangeNOW.