How ethical investing is building a better world for our children

We know that our customers care deeply about the future of the planet, and sometimes worry about what kind of lives future generations will have. 

That’s why Triodos Investment Management (TIM) created the Future Generations Fund: an investment fund whre every holding contributes to the wellbeing and development of children. In this article, we explore what your money could do if you invest in the Future Generations Fund.  

Remember, investing is not the same as putting money in a savings account. Your money is at risk, and there is a chance you could get back less than you put in.  

Healthcare

The Future Generations Fund invests in innovative healthcare solutions specifically designed for children. Many paediatric orthopaedic surgeons often use adult implants repurposed for use in children, which can lead to complications, given that the bones of children are very different from adults. OrthoPediatrics gives children the chance to run, play and grow by designing life-changing orthopaedic implants and instruments.  

The pharmaceutical industry is another area that continues to fall short of addressing childrens' unique health needs, so the fund invests in several companies that focus specifically on medicines for children. These include Swedish Orphan Biovitrum, who develop therapies for rare and severe conditions, and ALK-Abello, who develop medicines to tackle allergies and their related diseases.  

Safety  

Children’s welfare is built into the Future Generations fund, from creating safe environments to protection from exploitation or abuse. Life360 is a family safety app that allows families to track one another’s locations, and also send discrete alarm alerts in emergencies. GenDigital is a cyber safety organisation that allows parents to keep their children safe online, and work actively to improve young people’s online experiences, such as through tackling cyberbullying.  

Education  

Access to quality education continues to be a barrier for far too many children around the world. The Future Generations Fund invests in a variety of organisations looking to broaden education opportunities for children. Sanoma is a Finnish education publisher, developing materials for primary and secondary education. The company’s digital learning and teaching platforms support remote learning and help teachers follow students’ progress. They also give access to a wide range of learning materials, which can help make education more inclusive and improve its quality. 

Beyond the funds  

TIM goes beyond picking and choosing organisations to go into the funds. They actively engage with the companies they invest in and keep an open dialogue with them: encouraging higher standards and discussing strategy to achieve goals such as reducing emissions, setting targets, and addressing leadership representation gaps.  

TIM donates 0.10% of the fund's assets per year to UNICEF to support the 'Building bricks for the future' project. This voluntary donation from Triodos does not affect the results of the fund. TIM also works with UNICEF to help children’s voices be heard and to support their rights in the asset management sector. 
 
UNICEF has no role in the development, management, or investment decisions of Triodos Future Generations Fund. UNICEF does not endorse any investment adviser, investment, company, or product in the Triodos Future Generations Fund. 

Investing in what truly matters 

From the outside, investing can sometimes seem abstract and cold. Stocks, shares, returns, dividends – it can feel like putting money into companies you’ve never heard of, with no clue who they are or what they do. You’re told investing can grow your money, but you’re not often told about the companies or projects your money is also helping to grow.   

Luckily, when you invest with Triodos Bank you can be confident that your money is only being invested in companies that are contributing to positive change. We are radically transparent and publish the details of every single investment we make, to help you decide if the investment fund is right for you. 

Investments should be held for the long-term (5+ years). While this article is meant to be helpful, it is not financial advice. You should seek independent financial advice if you aren’t confident making decisions about your money.

The case studies included in this article featured in the Triodos Investment Management 2025 annual report and are still available in the Future Generations Fund as of 23/06/26. You can check the most up to date listings here.