The fi‑compass Blog

Stories of how financial instruments have an impact on the ground

A strong impact on vulnerable people
20 March 2022
A strong impact on vulnerable people

ARTE, a Polish organisation fighting social exclusion was backed by an ESF financial instrument which helped it expand and improve their service offering.

ESF/ESF+
Poland
wooden pallets
16 March 2022
A smart solution for your pallets and your wallet

A FOSTER TPE-PME loan helped the MagicPallet platform develop and grow. Today, 150 businesses are using it and this allowed the relocation of 3 million pallets, i.e. the equivalent of 84 tonnes of wood saved if new pallets had been manufactured.

ERDF
France
fabrication of passive solar protection glazing
14 March 2022
Passive windows improve the carbon footprint of buildings

The FOSTER TPE-PME loan was a real game changer for Immoblade. The Toulouse based start-up is now signing its first contracts and equipping major clients such as Aéroports De Paris with its smart windows. 

ERDF
France
A typical individual Hector bin that employees can fill in at home and bring back at the office.
10 March 2022
Green energy courtesy of your bio-waste

Thanks to an ERDF financial instrument, Hector le Collector—a start-up that collects urban food waste from offices and restaurants and transforms it into bio-energy—was able to purchase equipment and expand its services, collecting 45 tons of bio-waste in 2021.

ERDF
France
Academia de codigo
29 October 2021
Portugal: ESF Social Impact Bond for coding bootcamps

Backed by a EUR 723 500 investment from the Portugal Social Innovation Social Impact Bond and private investors, Academia de Código bootcamps have enabled dozens of unemployed people to find a coding job in just 14 weeks!

ESF/ESF+
Portugal
Nasekomo - Insects
29 October 2021
Nasekomo: sustainable food from insects

Supported by a EUR 1.5 million-equity investment from the ERDF Financial Instruments in Bulgaria, Nasekomo, a successful biotechnology company at the forefront of European insect-based sustainable food production, will soon open an industrial demonstrator with a capacity of 600t/year.

ERDF
Bulgaria
Profit - cooking
29 October 2021
ProFIT supports leading diet coaching app in Europe

Backed by a grant/loan combination funding from the ERDF ProFIT programme in the federal state of Brandenburg, Oviva, a leading diet coaching app has helped over 200 000 patients suffering from weight-related health problems.

ERDF
Germany
New CPR - Conductor
1 September 2021
New CPR enters into force

A key objective of the CPR is administrative simplification, accelerating the delivery of public support in the real economy and streamlining the legal requirements for the development of financial instruments. The new CPR gives national authorities the possibility to set-up instruments suited to local, regional or national needs.

ERDF
All EU Member States
Roboze employee powers up 3D printer
19 May 2021
A tech start-up heading for the Big League

Alessio Lorusso, CEO of Roboze, a leading italian 3D company, built his first 3D printer alone in his bedroom at 17 out of curiosity and pure passion for 3D technology.

Supported by a EUR 3 million equity investment by Italy's Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR), Roboze is today a successful business developing machines and high performance components for worldwide giants.

ERDF
Italy
Comfort and savings for low-income households in Greece
18 May 2021
Comfort and savings for low-income households in Greece

The Greek Ministry of Development and Investments is supporting the restoration of thousands of individual houses and flats in the country, generating enough energy savings to light more than 600 thousand 100W lightbulbs continuously for one year.

ERDF
Greece
Knok Care hero
16 May 2021
Fresh air for Portugal’s healthcare

Knok Care is helping ease the pressure on hospitals in difficult times, thanks to its video based technology for medical consultations.

Backed by a EUR 1 437 500 equity investment from the ESF financial instrument, this innovative company helps people patients to find doctors nearby and receive medical care without leaving the comfort of their homes.

ESF/ESF+
Portugal
The Alter'NA guarantee
27 January 2021
The Alter'NA guarantee fund – financing sustainable agriculture in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Thanks to the Alter'NA guarantee fund, hundreds of farmers in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region have already successfully implemented sustainable agriculture projects.

EAFRD
France