Ethex to launch IFISA-ready ‘community garden’ bond
ETHICAL investment platform Ethex is preparing to launch an Energy Garden Community Bond targeting a four per cent return for investors.
The Innovative Finance ISA-eligible bond will allow institutional and retail investors to support the work of the London-wide Energy Garden initiative, which is partnered with Repowering London, Groundwork London and Transport for London. Energy Garden creates gardens, food-growing plots and solar energy stations on London Overground platforms, in an effort to clean London’s air. More than 30 gardens have been installed to date, with a further 10 gardens planned over the next 12 months.
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It is hoped that the community bond will keep the project going for another 20 years, so that Energy Gardens can “help promote food and energy security, create resilient communities and improve the health and well-being of Londoners”.
The bond will be officially launched at a garden party in London on 6 June, where would-be investors will be invited to enjoy fruits and vegetables from some of the project’s gardens. There will also be a series of talks and educational seminars where Londoners can learn more about the gardening projects and how they can support the work of Energy Gardens.
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The Energy Garden Community Bond aims to raise £1m and it has projected an average four per cent return for investors which will be paid back annually either in pound sterling, or via the energy generated by the Energy Garden solar arrays. Investors can also request to have their interest paid back in pints Energy Garden Ale, which is made from hops gathered at Brondesbury Park Station.
The bond will be hosted on the Ethex platform, which specialises in socially-minded and green bonds, equity investments and ISAs.
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