latest updates

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.

2025 is the International Year of Cooperation: the perfect moment to put the power of cooperation in the spotlight. So, this year, we are highlighting other Belgian cooperatives who are working towards a human economy. In this issue, we focus on Hefboom.

This year marks the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives. An excellent opportunity to shine a light on some Belgian cooperatives that, like us, are working toward a better world.

A heartfelt thank you to the co-op members, partners and friends who joined us for this special edition of our yearly General Assembly.

In rural Kyrgyzstan, Bailyk Finance has become a lifeline for women striving to improve their lives by providing adequate and accessible loans designed to fit their realities.

“What makes Alterfin unique is its strong ethical and impact-first dimension. The entire team is deeply value-driven, and that shared engagement motivates anyone who works for or with Alterfin.” – Hugo Couderé

Meet our partner CADESA, a cocoa cooperative in Côte d’Ivoire that we have partnered with since 2016.

Meet our partner, Financiera FDL, in Nicaragua, with whom we've proudly partnered since 2015.

In April, at our General Assembly, we announced the forthcoming launch of our Environmental Strategy. Following extensive research, analysis, and careful reflection, we are thrilled to share that the implementation phase is now ready to commence. This is a transformative milestone for Alterfin, enhancing our dedication to combating climate change and protecting communities.

For the second consecutive year, Alterfin is launching its membership campaign, "Better Together", running from 5 December 2024 to 31 January 2025.

In 2023, we renewed our investment with a partner actively involved in sustainable fishing and aquaculture. Why place such importance on this sector? Here are a few reasons.

This year, we had the privilege of welcoming Ecookim and Socak Katana, esteemed leaders in the cocoa sector in Côte d'Ivoire. Let's revisit the outstanding initiatives of these partners, which serve as models of social, economic, and environmental development in their country, supported, among others, by Alterfin.

Alterfin's approach to promoting gender equality is rooted in our constant quest for improvement within our cooperative or in managing our portfolio and partners.

Immerse yourself in the inspiring stories of Eleneora, an entrepreneur from Peru, and Sheila, Investment Manager in Latin America at Alterfin.

EDFI AgriFI, the European Union's initiative dedicated to fostering sustainable agriculture, reaffirms its commitment to Alterfin's mission by injecting an additional €3 million. This supplements the initial €6 million investment made in 2020 in collaboration with the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO).

After extensive consultation with our coop members, we are delighted to announce the launch of new gift cards.