Established in 2006, the Lundin Foundation is a Canadian non-profit created by Lukas Lundin, who had a vision for Lundin Companies to make lasting benefits for communities impacted by resource operations.
Our Beginnings
The vision and inspiration that Lukas Lundin drew upon for the Lundin Foundation was fueled by a deep desire to create lasting benefits for communities impacted by resource operations. Mr. Lundin had the unique experience of traveling through Africa by motorcycle in 2006 and immersing himself deeply into the everyday challenges that people faced to find economic stability and independence. This journey was a pivotal moment, as he crossed over 12,000km with his fellow travellers from Cairo to Cape Town. The trip highlighted to him the potential for resource development to be a powerful catalyst for sustainable development. So began the early days of the Lundin Foundation.
The Lundins are an entrepreneurial family with strength in recognizing untapped opportunities and creating economic value. What began initially as a philanthropic approach to addressing these challenges later evolved to become what the Foundation is today – a dedicated team of international business sustainability professionals who cultivate expertise and knowledge that is shared across Lundin Companies to elevate performance, maximize benefits, and leave communities stronger than ever before.
Although we mourn Lukas Lundin, who passed away in 2022, the Lundin Foundation remains deeply committed to his belief that resource development can be a powerful platform for sustainable development.
Our Future
With an unwavering commitment to responsible resource development, we support the creation and implementation of sustainability strategies that enable organizations to remain resilient, relevant and competitive in today’s world.
Our team also develops strategic community investments that pave the way for long-term economic prosperity. Our projects, from early ideation to full inception, evolve directly from sources of human potential within the communities in which we operate.
Our History
Since its inception, the Lundin Foundation has supported the Lundin Group of Companies in the design and development of sustainability strategies and community initiatives. We have also been an early impact investor into high potential social enterprises across Africa. Our key milestones include:
Our Story
The Foundation is established and supported by contributions from the Lundin Group of Companies.
Our roots begin in Africa, supporting grant-based initiatives where Lundin Group of Companies operate.
Our Story
Recognizing the importance of small business growth in Africa, the Foundation expands into impact investing targeting three sectors – Access to Energy, Agriculture and Financial Inclusion.
Our Story
First impact investments closed while the Foundation continues to provide on-going support to strategic grant programs.
Key Achievements
Close of first impact investments into two innovative funds:
- Investment into Central Africa SME fund which offers debt and equity into frontier markets in Central Africa.
- Seeded the launch of Injaro Agricultural Capital, an agricultural SME fund focused in Africa. As an anchor investor, the Foundation helps Injaro reach a $50M final close in 2014.
The Foundation participates at the inaugural Investors Council meeting at the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN).
Our Story
Portfolio of impact investments and strategic grants in Africa continues to expand.
Key Achievements
Inauguration of Mauritania School of Mines.
Inauguration of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at MCM Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and ICU nurse training program.
Launch of female-led Smallholder Mohotlong Poultry Farm, Lesotho.
First direct impact investment. Close of first equity investment into Rent to Own, a micro-leasing company serving small businesses in Zambia.
Investing in the African Management Initiative (AMI), a training platform to develop the next generation of African managers reaching over 25,000 managers.
Our Story
Portfolio of impact investments and strategic grants in Africa continues to expand.
Key Achievements
Investment into M-KOPA:
- Series B investor into one of the world’s most prominent Pay-As-You-Go renewable home energy companies. M-Kopa has since enabled over $3M people to gain access to clean energy across Africa.
Partnership with Global Affairs Canada:
- Secured $4M partnership commitment from Global Affairs Canada to fund technical assistance for small agricultural SMES in Africa.
Our Story
Portfolio of impact investments and strategic grants in Africa continues to expand.
Key Achievements
OECD invites the Foundation to join Net>>FWD, a network of leading global foundations carrying out venture philanthropy.
Our Story
Transition to a corporate Foundation dedicated to supporting strategic community investments of the Lundin Group of Companies, leveraging track record in impact investing.
Support focus in four key areas: Education and Skills Training, Local Supplier Development, Economic Diversification, and Social and Environmental innovation.
Key Achievements
Launch of strategic programs in Africa, Scandinavia, South East Asia and Latin America.
Inaugural Lundin Group Sustainability Summit held in Vancouver, Canada.
Recipient of the Mission Investor of the Year Award by MaRs Social Finance forum for impact investment track record.
Our Story
Corporate partnership programs are expanded in Africa, Latin America, Scandinavia and the US.
Key Achievements
UN Global Compact Colombia and Ecuador – SDG Award
- Lundin Gold wins UN Global Compact award for the launch of Catering Las Peñas, a local supplier development initiative implemented in partnership with the Foundation.
Our Story
Launch of 5-year strategy to leverage experience and track record into advising and guiding the Lundin Group of Companies on strategic community investments and ESG performance.
Key Achievements
Green Virtue Award
- Global Environment Fund/UN Environment Program and the Government of Honduras recognizes the Foundation for environmentally sustainable practices in artisanal mining.
UN Global Compact Canada – SDG Leadership Award
- Lundin Gold wins award for Training for Operations and Local Supplier Development programs, two initiatives delivered in partnership with the Foundation.
Our Story
In 2020, sustainability professionals across the Lundin Group came together to tackle pressing topics of climate change, sustainability reporting and disclosure, and several aspects of COVID-19 responses. As a result of the dedication and innovative practices across the Lundin Group, we were able to support our community partners in diverse areas, including:
Key Achievements
- COVID Protocols and Resources
- Health and Safety Practices
- Crisis Communication
- Local Business Support
- Virtual Engagement Technique
Our Story
Focus and development of pro-active ESG strategies leading to improved ESG reporting, innovation, attracting and retaining talent, and raising the collective ESG performance across the Lundin companies.
Key Achievements
- Working with partners to align with global best practices for sustainability reporting and disclosure (e.g., GRI, SASB, TCFD), meeting or exceeding investor expectations and ESG rating agency requirements.
- ESG working groups that brought together sustainability professionals for professional development sessions tackling climate risk and opportunities, decarbonization, rating agencies, diversity, equity & inclusion, and responsible sourcing.
- The Foundation committed $4.9M to 19 initiatives in 10 countries.
Our Story
ESG and Community Development expertise firmly established within a growing and diverse Foundation team. Knowledge sharing demonstrates the depth, capacity and dedication across the Lundin Companies to address sustainability challenges and build meaningful connections and solutions.
Key Achievements
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In 2022, our community programs supported budding entrepreneurs, local small businesses and their employees, contributing to long-term economic impacts in communities around Lundin operations.
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The Foundation invested $5.3 M US in 18 community programs in six countries.
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65 ESG working group sessions were delivered to corporate and site-level employees across Lundin Companies.