30 July 2025

The Community Equity Opportunity Fund (CEOF), proposed by Meliquina and selected by the Lab in 2025, is pioneering inclusive models for renewable energy development in Latin America. This innovative blended finance instrument enables Indigenous and local communities—such as the Mapuche Millaqueo—to earn equity stakes in clean energy projects without the need for upfront capital. By actively participating in project planning, permitting, and stakeholder engagement, communities contribute “sweat equity” and receive a share of future profits.

Meliquina’s flagship initiative, the Antú 1 solar project in Argentina’s Patagonia region, is a leading example of this approach—demonstrating how communities can move from being passive beneficiaries to co-developers and co-owners of renewable infrastructure. The CEOF offers a compelling blueprint for a more just and equitable energy transition across the region.