Cooperative dividend
Rabobank has an active presence in virtual networks.Towards the end of 2012, Rabobank
established the cooperative WeHelpen together with Achmea, BureauVijftig, CZ, Menzis, PGGM,
The Caretakers and VitaValley. The cooperative WeHelpen is an online marketplace for finding
and pooling, organising and sharing help. In 2013, the site www.wehelpen.nl was developed
into a platform for matching demand and supply for help. The platform also provides the option
of organising, discretely, care for one or more people who need help.
An attractive example in which Rabobank participates in community initiatives is Rabobank
Zaanstreek. With its partners Zaans Medisch Centrum and the municipality of Zaanstad,
Rabobank Zaanstreek looks ahead at developments in healthcare, engaging in dialogue with
various stakeholders in the field. A healthcare community has been started, and members of
Members councils are approached with a view to contributing to this community. Rabobank
seeks to mobilise the support of these members, their networks and Rabo employees in getting
local businesses on board to support initiatives centred around the theme 'care and exercise'.
The entire bank is involved in those activities, from the members to the managing director.
Cooperative dividend
Every year, the local Rabobanks set aside part of their net profit for the cooperative dividend.
The local Rabobanks invest that money in local communities and in the greening of society.
But this is not just about money; the local Rabobanks also free up staff to make a contribution.
Members and their representatives play an important part in decisions on how to use the
cooperative dividend. In addition to funds paid through the local Rabobanks, the cooperative
dividend consists of contributions to Rabobank Foundation and community funds of Rabobank.
The cooperative dividend made available in 2013 totalled EUR 69.2 (67.9) million.
in millions of euros
2013
2012
2011
2010
Cooperative funds (local Rabobanks)
44.1
42.8
37.0
28.3
Donations by Rabobank Nederland and other
group entities
8.0
4.6
5.2
4.2
Rabobank Foundation (in and outside the
Netherlands)
16.3
19.8
15.7
21.7
Project fund
0.0
0.0
1.1
0.9
Award money Herman Wijffels Innovation Award
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
Share4more
0.6
0.6
1.1
0.7
Total community funds and donations
69.2
67.9
60.2
55.9
An example of projects for which the cooperative dividend can be used is the donation by
Rabobank Uden-Veghel. Rabobank Uden-Veghel supports the energy cooperative Uden,
with financial support, human resources, marketing and communication. Rabobank made a
donation to help launch the cooperative. The chairman of the board and the communications
advisor are both members of the initiative group for the cooperative. After its foundation,
the communications adviser will continue to act as sparring partner for the board. Rabobank
Uden-Veghel also provided the speakerforthe official launch meeting of the cooperative
and the local Rabobank 'Dichterbij' members magazine carried a feature on the energy
cooperative Uden.
Annual Report 2013 Rabobank Group