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

Rabobank Bronnenarchief

Annual Reports Rabobank | 2010 | | pagina 71