Next to funding agencies several banks and shareholder organisations in the Netherlands have focused on sustainable investments. Two banks have taken the initiative in this, the ASN-Bank and the Triodos Bank. These small banks guarantee their clients that they will invest their savings in projects that meet specific ecological and social criteria.

At the moment commercial banks and insurance companies, such as ABN/AMRO, ING and REAAL, have developed a substantial number of green funds. Another range of investment organisations have an interest in tree plantations for which they have developed certificates promoting sustainable production. Since 1998 the Dutch government gives certain tax exemptions to investors of so-called green funds abroad.

The ASN Bank, set up in 1960, is an undertaking which aims to promote a sustainable society and is guided by that aim in its economic activities. Promoting a sustainable society is seen by the bank “as contributing towards changes intended to put an end to processes whose adverse consequences are postponed until a future time, or passed on to the environment, nature or the poor.”

The ASN Bank invests its money in accordance with clear principles, where sustainability and yield go hand in hand. For the ASN Bank, sustainability means a society where economic, ecological and social interests are well balanced. The bank applies strict criteria to its capital spending and portfolio investment. For example, it does not invest in the weapons industry, the nuclear industry, and preferably not in alcohol and tobacco manufacturing. It also avoids companies that use animal testing, child labour and genetic modification (except where there is a proven medical need). It prefers to invest in companies which make a positive contribution to environmental improvement and human rights, and which apply a good social policy. The ASN Bank works closely with public organisations concerned with the South, the environment and human rights. Customers have the opportunity to donate the interest on their savings directly to these good causes.

The non-profit organisation Hivos-Triodos Fund Foundation was founded in 1994 by the Hivos Foundation and the Triodos Fund Foundation to finance projects in developing countries. HTF provides guarantees and loans to projects, enterprises and institutions in the area of development cooperation. HTF's finance policy aims to strengthen and improve financial institutions that specialise in micro-finance in developing countries. In addition, trade finance is provided to producers in developing countries exporting under Fair Trade or organic labels.

HTF occupies a interesting position among providers of finance to micro-finance institutions since it is able to finance young and promising micro-finance institutions that are not yet completely self-sufficient, but have the ability to become so in the long term as long as they are provided with the means to build up their credit portfolio. Trade finance provided by HTF mainly consists of the pre-finance of coffee cooperative exports, registered in the Max Havelaar commercial register to importers in the United States and Europe.

The FMO supports sector in developing countries and emerging markets in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe. FMO does this through loans, guarantees and other investment promotion activities. The goal is to contribute to the structural and sustainable economic growth in these countries and obtain healthy returns alongside the private sector.

The FMO works closely with local parties and commercial investors, such as international banks and companies. The FMO’s role supplements that of the market parties since it operates as an additional party, rather than as a competitor. The FMO builds bridges between entrepreneurs and capital, both locally and across frontiers, for sustainable development and healthy returns.

[read also here]

Oikocredit is the successor of the Ecumenical Development Cooperative Society (EDCS) that was founded in 1975. Oikocredit, as a worldwide cooperative society, promotes global justice by challenging people, churches and others to share their resources through socially responsible investments and by empowering disadvantaged people with credit. The name Oikocredit emphasizes the heart of its mission: to give credit to disadvantaged people in an attempt to build a more just society. ‘Oiko’ refers to the ancient Greek word Oikos meaning ‘house’, ‘community’ or ‘world’. It forms the roots of concepts like ecumenism, economy and ecology, all essential elements in the philosophy of the organisation. ‘Credit’ not only refers to giving loans to the disadvantaged, but also to the Latin verb ‘credere’, ‘to believe’.

Zero-Kap was established as a foundation in 1988 by private individuals who set up a fund to help poor people in developing countries. Zero-Kap specialises in granting loans for investments in developing countries. In most cases no interest is charged on these loans. The duration of the loans varies from 1 to 9 years. The loans must benefit people in low-wage groups, who cannot pay the interest on local loans. Zero-Kap prefers to give a loan to groups of people working together in a cooperative or association.

Zero-Kap gives loans for projects in economically less developed countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa. All activities that benefit lower income groups are eligible for financing by Zero-Kap. Investments in building or improving houses, income-generating investments or infrastructure-facilities for villages that benefit development and healthcare are preferred.

Guide functions: address list | search
Back to: portal | full toc