Our impact in 2021

The world around us is changing rapidly. The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted inequality around the world, while exacerbating the problem. We also no longer have the luxury of ignoring the consequences of climate change. Challenges like these affect all of us, and they make millions of people even more vulnerable – from smallholder farmers in developing countries to people who have trouble finding paid employment in the Netherlands. So over the past year, we once again joined forces with partners to meet these challenges.

€ 40.7 million

invested in a more sustainable and inclusive society

400+

organizations created impact in 23 countries with our support

4 million

people were able to take a step towards a better future

This is how we work towards positive change

We support organizations that offer real solutions all over the world: from farmer’s cooperatives in Peru to social enterprises in the Netherlands. We do that with a clear social mission in mind: to offer people in a vulnerable position a chance at a better future. By seizing opportunities where others only see risks. And in the process, we gave more then 400 organizations room to grow in 2021. In accordance with our theory of change, we offer them access to financial solutions, join forces with other partners, utilize our network, and investigate and share interventions that have a real impact.

With this, we made an impact

A team working from 4 continents

and 15 nationalities are represented in our team of 55 employees, 65% of whom are women. These professionals put our mission into practice every day.

4,000+ people and organizations

supported our mission with financial contributions. In 2021, we received 18.6 million euros to address societal challenges.

60+

Partnerships with organizations to offer project partners access to knowledge and network. From Ikea Foundation to Progreso.

Our financial figures in 2021

Where we make impact

Together with our colleagues, project partners and an expansive network, we once again worked to build a more sustainable and inclusive society in 2021. A society where everyone with the will to grow and build a better future has the room to do so. Discover the impact we’ve made.

In the Netherlands, we work to a more inclusive society

Read what we’ve achieved in 2021

Internationally, we work towards sustainable growth for smallholder farmers

How we did that in 2021

This is how we gain insight into our impact

Around the world, we worked to bring about positive change for the most vulnerable people in society. We want to make a real difference for them, so we constantly monitor our impact and refine our approach as needed.

How we manage our impact effectively

4x positive changes

In Uganda, Latitude is structurally improving the lives of 2,500 smallholder cocoa farmers. By giving them access to finance, teaching them how to improve their harvest and locally process the cocoa into chocolate.

Makers Unite in Amsterdam connects newcomers with local makers. Together they make sustainable textile products and create a more inclusive society.

Coffee farmer Aurelio, as a member of cooperative Rutas del Inca in Peru, can improve his harvests and better cope with the changing climate.

Indian farmers get access to financing and technical support. Because we launched the unique Covid Response Program for Agri Transition with six partners.

Our lessons learned in 2021, and insights for the future

A rapidly changing world demands adaptability. That’s why we constantly monitor our impact, reflect on our work methods and make adjustments as needed. In 2021, we arrived at the following insights. More insights? Take a look at our lessons learned about our work in the Netherlands and international.

Since 1974, we’ve worked to build a more inclusive society by financing and supporting projects that stand up for people in a vulnerable position. We believe that this diverse group of people deserve the opportunity to participate in an inclusive society. And as an organization, we asked ourselves how inclusive and diverse we are in 2021.

So in 2021 we discussed our blind spots and unconscious biases to embrace different perspectives and the strength of a diverse team. To continue with that change, we formed a working group for Diversity & Inclusion, which will continue to work on creating a more inclusive culture in 2022.

We know from our impact strategy that every project can contribute to positive change. But we also know that no two projects are the same. A coffee cooperative in Peru can’t be compared to a coffee cooperative in Rwanda, for example. That’s due in part to the specific context in the country, such as the climate or opportunities for exports. And the numbers alone don’t tell the whole story about the impact. A project that reaches 50 people can have just as much impact as one that offers opportunities to 10,000. That requires more qualitative input to identify our impact, and more custom-tailored approaches to managing that impact.

Rabo Foundation has long been modest and more focused on what could be done better. But we are increasingly realizing that our knowledge and the lessons learned over the past 50 years may also be interesting to others. For example, the more than 400 project partners in our portfolio could learn a lot from one another, and we can inspire the outside world with their stories about change. In doing so, we can increase and accelerate the contribution we make to major social transitions. And that is desperately needed, because we can only work on a more sustainable and inclusive society in this ever-changing and challenging world by working together. So, starting in 2022, we will invest even more effort in sharing our knowledge and expertise with more people, with more focus.