Partnerships that matterCooperation runs in our DNA

In a world facing overlapping crises, our partnerships show how working together is the strongest response.

‍

Each ally – whether a co-op, a funder, or a network – brings different strengths. Together, we create solutions none of us could achieve alone. We know no partner is perfect and neither are we, but by sharing expertise, resources, and commitment, we keep moving forward.

Our collaborations take many forms:

• Alterfin holds B Corp, Finance Solidaire, and Fairtrade@Work certifications, along with a National Cooperative Council membership, reflecting our ethical and sustainable approach and commitment to a fairer, more responsible economy.
• We are active members of Belgian cooperatives such as Beescoop, Crédal, and Fincommon, fostering exchanges and strengthening a cooperative movement with shared values.

Furthermore, 2025 has been declared the International Year of Cooperatives by the UN, to raise awareness of the contribution cooperatives make to society and the economy. In this context, read our articles with Crédal and Hefboom.

• We help build the sector itself by participating in networks across ethical finance (like Financité in Belgium), microfinance, and sustainable agriculture, and by being a founding Board member of the Council on Smallholder Agricultural Finance (CSAF).
• Alterfin also has financing partners - including EDFI, BIO, and Italy’s Banca Etica – whom provide credit in euros, dollars, and African currencies, enabling us to expand our portfolio.
• Through technical-assistance grants, funders such as SSNUP and BIO strengthen the capacities of our partners, helping them grow and operate more effectively.
• We also advise third-party impact funds - including Symbiotics, Quadia, Fefisol II (co-managed with SIDI, EIB and others), and BRS - leveraging our expertise to channel more capital to microfinance and sustainable agriculture.
• Guarantee mechanisms such as Aceli Africa and FOGAL reduce lending risk for rural enterprises.
• Many partners, including Crédal, Oxfam Belgique, Oxfam Wereld winkels, and Rikolto, are co-op members themselves, reflecting the trust and shared values at the heart of our collaborations.

Don’t miss our campaign

Read interviews with Rikolto and Humundi, and remember - for every Alterfin share purchased before the end of September, €1 is donated to these NGOs.

Cooperation as a force for impact

These examples show how, over three decades, cooperation has been a true lever for impact, and how even in uncertain times, our shared efforts continue to make a difference.

‍

Want to see more about how Alterfin collaborates with other actors in ethical finance, microfinance, and sustainable agriculture? Check our Annual Report, pages 16–19.

‍