L*
Rabobank Project Fund
Flerman Wijffels Innovation Award
Elsewhere, Rabobank Foundation provides support to savings and credit organisations and
farmers' organisations in rural districts, focusing on microfinance, sustainable development
and supply chain development. Support mainly takes the form of providing financial tools in
25 selected developing countries, but technical assistance is also hired in, preferably locally
or from Rabobank Group. In the year under review, Rabobank Foundation approved 170
applications received from abroad, and provided support worth EUR 23.9 million. The tools
used outside the Netherlands by Rabobank Foundation were trade finance (23%), microfinance
(17%), guarantees and commitments (15%), and donations and technical assistance (45%).
During 2010, there was a sharp drop in microfinance compared with 2009 (down 43%).
There was also a greater focus in the year under review on supporting agricultural cooperatives
by providing trade finance, donations and technical assistance, particularly in Asia.
Cooperation with partner banks in Africa and Asia led to a sharp increase in guarantees
(including commitments) in 2010 compared with 2009 (up 342%).
Rabobank Foundation increased the number of adoption projects for local Rabobanks
during 2010. Adoption involves linking local banks up with Rabobank Foundation projects in
developing countries. There is a great deal of willingness at local Rabobanks to set aside part
of the annual donation for a specific foreign project of Rabobank Foundation. At year-end
2010, some 60 local Rabobanks were involved in a total of 40 projects in Asia, Latin America
and Africa. Local Rabobanks believe that adoption projects offer them benefits. These projects
provide a visible representation of their annual donations to Rabobank Foundation, and are
also an innovative way of implementing CSR and cooperative policy.
Countries targeted by Rabobank Foundation
Europe
Albania12
The Netherlands
Asia
Cambodia
India
Indonesia
Laos
Philippines
Sri Lanka
Vietnam
Latin America
Bolivia13
Brazil
Colombia13
Ecuador
Mexico
Nicaragua
Paraguay12
Peru
Africa
Cöte d'lvoire
Ethiopia
Ghana
Kenya
Mali
Mozambique
Rwanda
Senegal
Tanzania
Uganda
The Rabobank Project Fund supports innovative, sustainable projects in the Netherlands that
bring economic and social benefits to large groups of members. In 2010,17 applications
were successful. These projects included a feasibility study into the use of direct current for
assimilation lighting in greenhouses, the development of an innovative procedure for creating
new product/market combinations for the recreation and tourism sector, and the development
of a strategic-level masterclass for business people in the food retail sector.
12 No longer on the list of countries
that Rabobank Foundation targets
in 2011.
13 Added to the list of countries that
Rabobank Foundation targets in 2011
The Flerman Wijffels Innovation Award, which is presented once a year by the Flerman Wijffels
Fund, is aimed at promoting innovative and socially responsible business practices. The award
was presented for the ninth time in 2010. A total of 443 entries were assessed, with the first
prize of EUR 50,000 going to Comé Ooms for his asparagus harvesting machine. This machine
harvests ripe asparagus entirely automatically, and can operate independently day and night.
The second prize of EUR 37,500 was awarded to Sebastiaan Broers for his flexible mould that
can be used to manufacture single units or small series of products using a digital design,
70
Annual Report 2010 Rabobank Group