CFC’s ACT Fund operational with EUR 10M + USD 10M cornerstone investment from Invest International to advance Regenerative Agriculture in emerging markets
Amsterdam, September 23, 2025 — The Agricultural Commodity Transformation (ACT) Fund is pleased to announce the successful closing of its first senior loan facility, provided by Dutch state-owned impact investor Invest International. The dual-currency loan — comprising EUR 10 million and USD 10 million — marks a significant milestone in the fund’s mission to accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture across developing regions.
Established by the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), a United Nations (UN) affiliated intergovernmental organization based in the Netherlands, the ACT Fund aims to raise a total of USD 75 million in capital. Invest International’s cornerstone investment has been instrumental in enabling the fund’s financial close and supporting the launch of its operations. 
The fund will extend fair-priced working capital loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) committed to inclusive and sustainable agricultural practices. These enterprises play a vital role in connecting smallholder farmers to global markets and scaling regenerative farming models, driving both economic growth and environmental resilience.
Dutch involvement in the fund extends beyond fund management and includes:
- Financing of investees with Dutch ownership;
- Financing of investees supplying Dutch agri-trading companies;
- Financing of investees utilizing Dutch processing companies for European distribution.
To unlock the full disbursement of Invest International’s investment, the fund must meet a minimum threshold of 20% Dutch content. Over its lifetime, the ACT Fund aims to make nearly 70 portfolio investments, each ranging from USD 1.5 million to USD 5 million.
In addition to its core investment strategy, the Fund also aims to raise USD 10 million for Technical Assistance, which will be deployed to promote the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices and build capacity among local stakeholders.
Reflecting on the new partnership, Michael van den Berg, Investment Director, ACT Fund, says: “This partnership with Invest International is a major step forward in our commitment to transforming agricultural value chains in emerging markets. We are especially pleased to partner not only with Dutch finance, but also with Dutch innovations — drawing on the expertise of the world’s second-largest exporter of agricultural products. Together, we are unlocking capital for businesses that are driving sustainability, inclusion, and long-term resilience in global food systems.”
Michiel Slootweg, Director Private Sector at Invest International adds: “With our cornerstone investment in the ACT Fund, we’re proud to support the transition to regenerative agriculture in emerging markets. By combining impact-driven finance with Dutch sector expertise, we help unlock capital for SMEs that are building resilient, inclusive food systems — and strengthen global value chains in the process.”
This partnership represents a significant step forward in promoting regenerative agriculture and supporting inclusive, sustainable growth in emerging markets. Building on decades of CFC’s work in advancing sustainable agricultural development across the globe, we look forward to the next phase of expanding impact, scaling regenerative practices, and strengthening resilient agricultural value chains through the ACT Fund.
