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As of September 1, 2025, our new CEO has taken office: Luc Cool. After a versatile career in the banking sector, he first encountered development finance while working in Asia — a turning point in his professional journey. Today, he takes the helm in challenging times, but he remains confident that by working together, innovating, and above all, believing in our strengths, Alterfin can continue to move forward.

After 4,000 days at the helm of Alterfin, Jean-Marc Debricon reflects on a journey rich in challenges, emotions, and lessons learned - before passing the torch to the new leadership. His testimony reminds us that Alterfin’s true impact is not measured in numbers alone, but above all in commitments and shared values.

Just seven years ago, Alterfin was among the very first companies in Belgium to earn B Corp certification, starting with an initial score of 108.9. Today, with a new score of 116.3, we not only confirm our steady progress but also reaffirm our commitment to pushing the boundaries of impact finance — a testament to the fact that our pioneering spirit remains strong.

For small coffee farmers in remote parts of Laos, finding buyers who pay a fair price can feel almost impossible. That's why many of them join cooperatives. On the fertile Bolovens Plateau in southern Laos, the CPC cooperative buys the harvests of around 700 coffee farmers. Thanks to the cooperative, its producers have been able to improve the quality of their coffee, gain access to fair trade markets, and in the process, transform their livelihoods.

Thirty years ago, Rikolto helped found Alterfin, responding to the huge lack of financing for small-scale farms. And today? Alterfin’s model remains (unfortunately) nearly unique in the financial world, says Caterina Giordano, Chief Impact Officer at Alterfin. At the same time, Chris Claes, Director of Rikolto, sees that a clear shift in mentality has taken place in agriculture and food.

How can we reawaken a sense of hope in the current political climate? Benoît De Waegeneer, General Secretary of Humundi (formerly SOS Faim), and Caterina Giordano, Chief Impact Officer at Alterfin, discuss this issue in this joint interview. And they seem to agree on the answer: people must be given the means to act. The interview was also an opportunity to look back on the 30-year synergies between our organizations, both of which are committed to the agricultural transition and solidarity financing.

In western Côte d’Ivoire, the cooperative SOCAK KATANA had everything needed to succeed: committed producers, a growing membership base, and an ambitious first export contract. All signs seemed green. All... except one: access to financing.

In a world facing urgent social and environmental challenges, Alterfin’s mission has never been more relevant. For over 30 years, we have remained committed to the same goal: supporting social enterprises, empowering communities, and financing positive change around the world.

One of the most moving moments while celebrating 30 years of impact was undoubtedly the conversation with Dimitri Moreels (CEO) and Berthinic Kikwaya (Operations Manager) of COPAK – our partner since 2018, based in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their mission goes far beyond producing fair trade cocoa and chocolate. It’s about strengthening local communities in one of the world’s most fragile regions.