Opes Impact Fund

Refolo is a type B social cooperative that sees social agriculture as having a dual impact: social and environmental. Refolo was created with the aim of creating an agro-ecological and social corridor that runs through the province of Brescia from north to south with the hope that administrations and other communities will come together to generate a positive impact on the environment and the community. Refolo operates in an area located between the municipalities of Brescia, Collebeato, Villa Carcina and Montirone, territories that share the presence of agricultural areas that over the years have been abandoned due to their unsuitability for intensive agriculture and lack of interest by new generations and that are now ready to start again.

Ecodudu is a Nairobi-based company founded in 2016 that specializes in recycling organic waste materials into high-protein animal feed and organic fertilizer through the use of the black soldier fly. By harnessing the natural recycling capabilities of insects, Ecodudu addresses critical global issues such as waste management, the rising demand for protein, and environmental conservation. The company provides waste collection services and offers products like dundu meal, which serves as feed for poultry, fish, and amphibians, as well as shamba mix, an organic fertilizer designed to enhance plant growth. Through its innovative approach, Ecodudu aims to support sustainable agricultural practices and help farmers increase production without relying on chemical inputs.

Sistema.bio is a manufacturer of prefabricated modular biodigester systems aimed at enhancing the efficiency and quality of life for small farmers. The company's systems utilize anaerobic bacteria to convert manure and various organic waste types into methane gas and organic fertilizer. This biogas can be harnessed for thermal energy used in cooking and generating electricity, while the fertilizer supports agricultural productivity. By transforming organic waste into valuable resources, Sistema.bio enables farmers to turn a potential problem into opportunities for increased productivity and sustainability.

ArticoloUno promotes the employment of disadvantaged people in restaurant-related fields of work. The scope of the work was increased after the first year to include two more areas: industrial and civil cleaning, as well as municipal hall surveillance. The pandemic led to an increase in demand for cleaning jobs at the cooperative as well. Nearly half of the cooperative's workers are currently employed in the cleaning industry, which has developed into a key area for the employment of elderly people and a significant number of women.

Equa is a social cooperative that offers a wide range of services for individuals, families, and communities. Equa is thus the result of Genera and Tuttinsieme joining forces to offer even more comprehensive and quality services to the community. The cooperative is active in the Milan metropolitan area, with a particular historical presence in municipalities 7, 8, and 9, as well as in the municipalities of Assago, Buccinasco, Cesano Boscone, Cormano, Paderno Dugnano, Tradate, Bareggio, Muggiano, and Vigano.

OIKOS is a social cooperative with the aim of cultivating its own vineyard and developing a new agricultural-ecological project. The goal of Oikos is to promote the social and job integration of disadvantaged people through activities that enhance individuals and respect the environment. Oikos operates in two areas: agriculture (design and maintenance of green areas, vineyard restoration, and wine production) and environment (cleaning and sanitizing environments, offices, schools, and management of ecological pitches).

CavaRei is a social innovation project that provides services for people with disabilities and social distress. CavaRei operates five facilities, offering numerous services, including two occupational therapy centers, an accredited day and residential rehabilitation center, a mental health center, a group of independent living apartments, a group home, and a center for growing and processing aromatic herbs. Today, CavaRei cares for more than 130 people and prides itself on predominantly female governance.

Area Società Cooperativa is a social enterprise specializing in the design and management of services aimed at people. The cooperative was established relatively recently, in December 2001, but its history is much more rooted in time. Already in the 1990s, the nearby Co. Ge. SS Cooperative, which has always managed services for disabled people, began to create services for minors, making use of new and specialized educators.

Il Calabrone is a type A social cooperative that provides assistance to young people who are struggling so they may make autonomous and conscientious decisions. The cooperative wants to assist those who are struggling to rediscover the worth and meaning of life and to regain their independence. Il Calabrone offers various services that can be grouped into three areas: Community, Projects and Services, and Youth Policy. Regarding the Community area, the cooperative manages two residential communities in Brescia and Collebeato for the reintegration and therapy of people with addiction problems.

Albergo Etico is a cooperative that deals with the employment of people with disabilities through hotel activities. The goal of the initiatives is to develop an active and dynamic pathway aimed at the full exploitation of the potential of people with disabilities, providing them with support and accompaniment to work, and helping them find the motivation they need to embark on a path of personal growth. Currently, Albergo Etico has locations in Italy, Argentina, Australia, and Albania, with further openings planned in the United States and Norway.

Il Ponte deals with social inclusion and job placement for disadvantaged people, including individuals with disabilities or social fragility. Il Ponte is a type B cooperative that aims to enable these people to acquire manual skills and abilities through experience and vocational training, in order to enable their inclusion in local businesses and make them feel like an active part of society. The cooperative’s activities include assembly, packaging, and other processing of products for third parties.

Kilimo Fresh Foods operates a B2B marketplace that connects smallholder farmers in rural Tanzania with various buyers, including hotels, restaurants, caterers, and informal retailers in Dar es Salaam. The company focuses on sourcing fresh produce, such as fruits, vegetables, and dry food, ensuring that clients receive high-quality products directly from farms. By utilizing mobile technology, Kilimo Fresh enables farmers to access stable markets and competitive prices, thereby minimizing post-harvest losses and reducing food waste. This efficient supply chain benefits retailers by providing them with reliable access to fresh produce at lower prices. Additionally, Kilimo Fresh employs data-driven strategies to enhance its technology and innovate within the agricultural value chain.

MunyaxEco is working in solar energy as well as energy efficiency sectors by selling and installing environmentally friendly and high-quality equipment.

WidEnergy Africa Ltd is a women-led company based in Lusaka, Zambia, focused on distributing clean energy solutions. The company provides a range of solar products, including solar lamps and solar phone chargers, and is set to expand its offerings to include clean cook stoves. By utilizing a pay-as-you-go model, WidEnergy Africa aims to facilitate access to renewable energy alternatives for households, thereby addressing energy needs and contributing to the reduction of deforestation in Zambia, which has one of the highest rates in Africa. Through its efforts, the company seeks to enhance the availability of sustainable energy solutions in the region.

Gea is a social cooperative that manages apartment groups and micro-residential activities for adults with psycho-intellectual disabilities. The GEA cooperative operates with a view to networking and collaboration with the realities of the territory, both with those that deal purely with disabilities and with those that operate in other areas, always related to social contexts. GEA has distinguished itself in the panorama of its territory by carrying out intense awareness-raising activities aimed at breaking down the social stigma that has always been held against mental disability and psychiatric suffering.

La Differenza is a social cooperative that deals with job placement for people with disabilities or socially fragile people. The cooperative also deals with accessible tourism for people with disabilities and social communication through the “Rotellando” project. Priority goals of the cooperative include promoting accessible tourism, catering, and communication, as well as the employment of underprivileged individuals through recruitment, training internships, and social inclusion pathways, as well as the promotion of independent living and mobility for people with disabilities.

Exotic EPZ is a licensed processor and exporter of macadamia nuts and oils, distinguished as the only macadamia nut processor and exporter in Kenya that is wholly owned by women. The company specializes in roasting and processing macadamia nuts, which it sells in bulk to markets in the United States and Europe. Committed to sustainable practices, Exotic EPZ collaborates with local farmers to implement certified processes and training sessions that promote sustainable production methods. The company adheres to FSSC 22000 standards for food safety and quality management, ensuring that it provides high-quality products that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. By focusing on socially impactful practices, Exotic EPZ aims to deliver sustainable and nutritious goods to consumers worldwide.

ZeroPerCento is a cooperative that focuses on the employment of people with intellectual disabilities. It offers frail people a real job and teaches a trade, helps them grow and become independent, gives responsibility and demands commitment and perseverance, creates ad hoc pathways, supports active job search, and prepares for interviews.

Alborea is a cooperative society of social solidarity able to offer excellent service in the catering sector. With a team of professionals in the sector, it operates in the market, carrying out consultancy, catering, banqueting, and important projects for collective catering. Through the management of catering services, Alborea deals with the re-employment of male and female inmates from Brescia’s two prison systems, to whom it wants to offer – just as the Cooperative’s name says – a new “dawn” (“Alba” in Italian) and an opportunity to start again.

Ecodudu is a Nairobi-based company founded in 2016 that specializes in recycling organic waste materials into high-protein animal feed and organic fertilizer through the use of the black soldier fly. By harnessing the natural recycling capabilities of insects, Ecodudu addresses critical global issues such as waste management, the rising demand for protein, and environmental conservation. The company provides waste collection services and offers products like dundu meal, which serves as feed for poultry, fish, and amphibians, as well as shamba mix, an organic fertilizer designed to enhance plant growth. Through its innovative approach, Ecodudu aims to support sustainable agricultural practices and help farmers increase production without relying on chemical inputs.

La Rete is a type A social cooperative that orients all its activities to coexistence without exclusions, the contrast of situations of discomfort, the promotion of rights, and the growth of an increasingly welcoming and responsible community, hinged on principles of equity, solidarity, and respect for legality. La Rete cooperative has initiated the expansion and integration of social agriculture AGROMANIA (https://agromania.bio/) through the promotion of ORTOCICLO (https://www.ortociclo.it/), a project that presents an “agroecological model of inclusion” created to stimulate the environmental recovery of uncultivated land through the development of agricultural activities involving disadvantaged people and the management of a home distribution chain of agricultural products, starting with products coming precisely from organic agricultural crops, through an eco-sustainable distribution platform: cargo bikes.

Mygrants is a leading online educational platform dedicated to supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Italy and across Europe. The platform focuses on empowering migrants by providing training courses that utilize microlearning techniques. It offers thematic quiz modules available in three languages, delivering essential information, guidance, and legal assistance throughout the various stages of the asylum process. By addressing the specific needs of immigrants and refugees, Mygrants aims to enhance their understanding of the asylum system and facilitate their integration into society.

Lifeed is a digital learning platform that focuses on transforming life transitions into opportunities for professional growth. By employing a strength-based approach, the platform helps employees, particularly parents, caregivers, and those undergoing transitions, to leverage their life experiences and enhance their value within the workplace. Lifeed offers a comprehensive suite of training and communication resources, along with a centralized hub for sharing experiences and a dashboard that provides updated data on employee engagement. Since its inception in 2015, Lifeed has collaborated with over 80 companies and is actively piloted in 23 countries and 218 cities, including regions in the USA, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia. With more than 20,000 participants, the platform has demonstrated the ability to improve essential soft skills by up to 35%, ultimately aimed at enhancing the overall corporate environment and reducing employee stress.

PROGETTO QUID is an Italian fashion brand that creates limited-edition collections of clothes and accessories. High-end textiles given by famous Italian fashion brands are recovered by QUID after being otherwise wasted. These textiles are then transformed into gorgeous collections by QUID designers using artisans with problematic pasts.

KadAfrica Estate Limited, established in 2011 and headquartered in Fort Portal, Uganda, specializes in the cultivation, procurement, packaging, and distribution of fresh fruits. The company primarily operates as a wholesaler, serving both local buyers and international export companies. Additionally, KadAfrica offers a comprehensive agricultural support program, providing training, resources, and market access to local farmers, with a particular focus on empowering young women to drive economic growth in their communities.

Devergy is a social energy utility based in Ghana that focuses on delivering reliable and affordable electricity services to low-income communities in developing countries, particularly in off-grid rural areas like Tanzania. The company operates village-sized energy micro-grids powered by solar energy, enabling households and businesses to access electricity. These micro-grids are designed with adaptive capacity and are regularly monitored to ensure efficient service delivery. By providing solar power, Devergy aims to improve the quality of life for underserved populations while promoting sustainable energy solutions.

Sudiksha Knowledge Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is a social entrepreneurship initiative focused on improving educational standards in India, particularly for underprivileged children. The company operates a network of affordable preschools that provide a holistic curriculum designed to foster cognitive, social, and linguistic development during the crucial formative years of early childhood. By leveraging innovative teaching methods and a research-driven approach, Sudiksha serves as a social laboratory, continually refining its educational practices to enhance learning outcomes. The initiative aims to revolutionize the educational landscape, ensuring that quality education is accessible to all children, regardless of their socio-economic status.

Kingo Energy, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Guatemala City, Guatemala, specializes in manufacturing solar energy systems aimed at providing reliable electricity to underserved rural communities. The company's mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals living without access to a dependable power grid, particularly in regions facing extreme poverty. Kingo offers a prepaid solar energy service that is more affordable than traditional lighting methods, such as candles and kerosene. Their solar energy kits can power essential household items, including light bulbs and mobile phone chargers, with payment options tailored to customers' budgets. Kingo has already benefited over 100,000 people, with significant reported improvements in cost savings, educational performance, and productivity among users. The company operates in Central America and South Africa, with ambitions to expand its reach to over 3 million individuals by 2020. Kingo's executive team comprises experienced professionals from various sectors, including consumer markets, telecommunications, and energy.

The Boond mission is to solve some of the biggest global challenges - adequate lighting, access to clean drinking water and pest control affecting the remote areas of the world. Through its innovative environment friendly products and sustainable business oriented approach. The Boond team is highly motivated and well trained by SELCO and IIM-Ahmedabad Center for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship and comprises mostly of local resources.

Purefresh is a water distribution company that filters natural water through reverse osmosis before distributing it. Established in 2011 as a result of the founders' personal need for clean water at a pocket-friendly price, a sentiment they quickly realized was shared by other members of their community.

The Boond mission is to solve some of the biggest global challenges - adequate lighting, access to clean drinking water and pest control affecting the remote areas of the world. Through its innovative environment friendly products and sustainable business oriented approach. The Boond team is highly motivated and well trained by SELCO and IIM-Ahmedabad Center for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship and comprises mostly of local resources.

AFRIpads Ltd. is a social business based in Kampala, Uganda, that specializes in the manufacture and supply of reusable sanitary pads. Founded in 2010, the company aims to empower women and girls by providing cost-effective, ultra-absorbent, and eco-friendly menstrual products. AFRIpads' washable cloth pads are designed to enhance comfort and hygiene, helping to overcome barriers related to menstrual management. In addition to its operations in Uganda, the company has sales offices in Kenya and Malawi, thereby expanding its reach and impact in promoting menstrual health.

EcoPost Limited Kenya has local labor and resources to produce an innovative product and help solve pressing socioeconomic and environmental challenges and recycles waste plastic to manufacture eco-friendly plastic lumber. For inquiries, an online inquiry form is available on their website.

Copia Global Inc. is an e-commerce company based in Nairobi, Kenya, founded in 2013. It provides an innovative application that allows users to browse and order products from local shopkeepers, facilitating access to a wide range of quality goods for consumers in the developing world. The platform is designed to empower middle to low-income Africans by enabling them to make purchases without needing direct internet access. Copia Global leverages mobile technologies and a network of local agents to serve as distribution points, ensuring efficient delivery of products at consumers' convenience. The application also incorporates a mobile payment system, allowing shopkeepers to fulfill customer orders seamlessly.

Kamworks is a solar energy company focused on providing innovative solar solutions for off-grid populations in Cambodia and other regions. The company has created several products, including the award-winning MoonLight solar light, which offers a clean, safe, and affordable alternative to traditional kerosene lighting and diesel generators. By establishing local assembly operations, Kamworks aims to facilitate technology transfer and enhance service delivery. In Cambodia alone, around 10 million people lack access to grid electricity, spending approximately $170 million annually on fossil fuels for lighting and power. Kamworks addresses this challenge by supplying reliable solar energy to various institutions, including hospitals, schools, and orphanages, thereby improving energy access and promoting sustainability in underserved communities.

E-Hands Energy, established in 2009, specializes in harnessing India's abundant solar and wind resources to provide affordable, clean energy solutions. The company offers services such as rooftop and hilltop solar panel installation, micro-wind turbine setup, hybrid solar-wind systems, and rural solar lighting. E-Hands collaborates with renewable energy manufacturers, NGOs, corporations, financial institutions, and educational bodies to achieve its mission of delivering green energy access to millions.

Sistema.bio is a manufacturer of prefabricated modular biodigester systems aimed at enhancing the efficiency and quality of life for small farmers. The company's systems utilize anaerobic bacteria to convert manure and various organic waste types into methane gas and organic fertilizer. This biogas can be harnessed for thermal energy used in cooking and generating electricity, while the fertilizer supports agricultural productivity. By transforming organic waste into valuable resources, Sistema.bio enables farmers to turn a potential problem into opportunities for increased productivity and sustainability.

Nazava Water Filters is a company based in Cimahi, Indonesia, specializing in the manufacture of ceramic water filters designed to provide clean and safe drinking water to both rural and urban households. Founded in 2009, Nazava focuses on offering affordable solutions that eliminate the need for boiling water or the use of electricity, making it easier for households to access safe drinking water. By providing effective filtration options, the company addresses the critical need for clean water in Indonesia, contributing to improved public health and well-being.

Estufa Doña Dora is a designer and manufacturer of efficient wood-fired cooking stoves aimed at domestic users in Guatemala. The company specializes in creating stoves equipped with high-efficiency combustion chambers that significantly reduce firewood consumption, cutting usage by up to 50 percent. These stoves are designed to heat quickly, allowing users to prepare their first tortilla in just five minutes. By focusing on energy efficiency, Estufa Doña Dora helps households make better use of their cooking wood, contributing to improved sustainability in cooking practices.

Based in California, The Pachamama Coffee Cooperative of Small-Scale Coffee Producers is a unique global cooperative that is wholly-owned and controlled by small-scale coffee farmers around the world. Pachamama’s member-cooperatives represent tens of thousands of families in Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico and Ethiopia. Buying organic coffee directly from farmers means better coffee for you, a better life for the farm family and a healthier environment for us all. Pachamama distributes freshly roasted coffee web-direct and wholesale to select retailers. 100% of profit are paid to our farmer-owners, whose best organic coffee is roasted in small batches in California. If you would like to learn more about Pachamama, please email info(at)pacha.coop, or give us a call at (530) 204-7554. Gracias. Visit our new coffee gallery & factory store at 919 20th Street in Sacramento, California.

Sustaintech is a company that specializes in producing environmentally-friendly and fuel-efficient cookstoves designed for street food vendors and community kitchens. By focusing on the adoption of sustainable energy-related technologies, Sustaintech's smokeless stoves create healthier workplace environments while enabling significant fuel savings for users. Their innovative products accommodate various cooking tasks and fuel types, aligning with current environmental trends and consumer needs. As an offshoot of the non-profit organization TIDE, Sustaintech is committed to promoting sustainable development through technological innovation.

A Social Enterprise In Pursuit Of Sustainable Rural Energy Products (Energy Efficient Cooking Stoves, Water Conservation, Vegetable Oil Fuels)

Iwokrama is an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of an endangered biodiverse forest in Guyana. Governed by an International Board of Trustees, it operates with a professional team of approximately seventy permanent staff based in Georgetown and at the Iwokrama River Lodge and Research Centre located in Kurupukari. The organization focuses on protecting the forest while providing eco-tourism activities, including lodging, meals, and guided tours of the rainforest. Additionally, Iwokrama conducts scientific research and evaluates the forest's economic contributions, offering forest management training to promote ecological, economic, and social benefits for both the local communities and the global environment.