Nefco has financed a number of projects related to wastewater management through its Investment Fund and dedicated trust funds, primarily projects that reduce discharges of nutrients into the Baltic Sea. Apart from addressing the removal of nutrients from wastewater, we assess other environmental threats such as the abundance of pharmaceuticals and persistent organic pollutants, and how to reduce such substances in wastewater.

A significant part of our financing operations relates to energy efficiency and renewable energy. Our Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa Facility works to ensure clean and affordable off-grid energy in Sub-Saharan Africa. We have facilitated and implemented various projects in Eastern Europe, in particular Ukraine, improving energy security and helping the countries reach their emission targets.

Nefco facilitates the internationalisation and scale-up of Nordic green companies through subordinated loans, equity-type financing and grants. with We attach great importance to circular economy and other innovative solutions that help industries or service providers save or utilise resources more efficiently and reduce pollution.

Nefco contributes to climate mitigation and adaptation in many of its activities. Our energy-efficiency, renewable energy and Carbon Fund projects have a direct impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Our Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa actively works to combat climate change. In the Arctic and Barents regions, we have paved the way for the implementation of BAT-BAP policies and larger-scale climate impact through our financing.

Nefco works in close cooperation with donors, other financial institutions and customers to create blended finance opportunities, catalyse funds and projects, and enable projects to be implemented utilising best practices from the Nordic countries. We provide risk financing for small projects, growth-phase companies and risky geographical areas, thus supplementing financing offered by the larger IFIs and other financiers.

Internationalisation of Nordic small and medium-sized companies contributes to green growth and increased employment. We emphasise Nordic values, company culture, CSR regulations and equality in the project countries. Climate-related projects in emerging markets help to improve working conditions and economic growth. Through our global mandate we can offer risk capital to Nordic companies seeking to scale up their operations globally.

The Cleaner Production Facility facilitates projects to reduce industrial pollution through efficient resource and energy utilisation in the public and private sector in Eastern Europe. The on-lending programmes for banks promote more sustainable habits among consumers. We also finance Nordic companies going global with solutions for sustainable production methods and use of natural resources in, e.g., the food industry and plastics recycling.

The ecological state of the Baltic Sea has been a main priority since Nefco was established by the Nordic countries. BSAP Fund projects are aimed at reducing discharges of phosphorus and nitrogen mainly from wastewater treatment plants and agriculture. We also work in close cooperation with HELCOM. Investment projects related to fish farming and new ways of protein production contribute to combatting overfishing and pollution.

By facilitating and implementing environmental projects such as waste management, pollution reduction and improved forestry management, Nefco also contributes to improved conditions for life on land. Several Projects in the Arctic and Barents region have a strong emphasis on biodiversity.

Investments in the public sector, e.g. in energy-efficiency, district heating and street lighting, as well as water and waste management, contribute to the goal of creating safer, healthier and more sustainable cities and communities, and prosperity for their inhabitants. Nefco-financed projects enable municipalities and cities to utilise Nordic solutions based on best practices and technologies.