Fact panel
| Investee: Triodos Impact Investing | Investor: Triodos Bank |
|---|---|
| Sector: Environmental, social & cultural (environment and social) | Range of Investment tickets: €1 - unlimited |
| Type of organisation: Social enterprises, cooperatives, real estate, infrastructure, … | Sector: Environmental, social & cultural |
| Yearly turn-over: N/A | Type of investor: Bank - financial services, natural persons & organisations |
| Type of investee: B and C | Type of investment: Savings & fixed term deposits |
| Country of investee: Primarily Belgium | Expected return: Similar to market return |
| Investment strategy: Impact investing | Specifics: Example of how natural persons & organisations can contribute to impact investing trough their saving accounts |
| Ticket size of the investment: €250k - 30 million | Some LPs: n/a |
| Year of investment: Ongoing since 1993 |
The what: Triodos Impact Savings of C-type savings account
Problem addressed
Several organisations working on the ecological transition, social inclusion, and cultural development face challenges linked to :
By channelling savings towards these initiatives, the Triodos impact savings accounts help bridge the gap between available capital and the funding needs of these organisations.
One of the organisations that receive funding is Belrefugees.
Solution provided by BelRefugees
Faced with the mismanagement of reception facilities in Belgium, BelRefugees was created in September 2015. It quickly became a meeting and coordination space for individual and collective initiatives around migration issues. Citizens’ initiative platform BelRefugees offers unconditional support and addresses the needs of exiled individuals, migrants, asylum seekers, newly arrived people and individuals without residence permits, while respecting the person, their choices and their dignity. BelRefugees provides support in the areas of emergency housing, social-legal assistance, material aid, and language courses.
BelRefugees is an organisation driven by citizen engagement. It relies on hundreds of volunteer citizens who offer their time to build a more inclusive and supportive Belgium for people on the move. Since 2017, at least 10,000 households have opened their doors to host a migrant for one, two, or three nights.
BelRefugees has a team of 270 people with diverse backgrounds, which allows for the creation of linguistic and cultural bridges between residents and the team. This diversity enriches interactions and fosters mutual understanding, which is essential to address the specific needs of the people they encounter. Driven by citizen solidarity, BelRefugees is committed to a more just society, and a space where every individual receives a dignified and respectful welcome.
Triodos Bank Belgium provided BelRefugees with a loan facility for the pre-financing to obtain subsidies.
The how: Triodos Bank, a values-based bank
General Presentation
Triodos Bank is an independent European bank founded in the Netherlands in 1980, dedicated to using finance to drive positive social and environmental change. It operates in five countries and is a leader in values-based banking, investing exclusively in projects that benefit people, society, and the planet. Triodos Bank Belgium, established in 1993, was the first in the country to offer loans and investments solely for sustainable initiatives. It has supported thousands of local projects, including organic farms, renewable energy, social enterprises, and cultural organizations. The bank applies strict sustainability criteria, excluding fossil fuels, weapons, and harmful industries, while actively financing sectors like renewable energy, organic agriculture, social housing, healthcare, and education. Transparency is central: all financed projects are published online, allowing customers to see where their money goes and make informed choices.
Intentionality
Triodos Bank’s lending is guided by a clear mission to serve people and the planet. In 2024, 77% of assets were linked to real economy activities, and 84% supported social, environmental, or economic benefits. Lending drives five key transitions: energy, food, resources, society, and wellbeing. Decisions are made holistically, ensuring alignment with the bank’s mission and systemic change. Strict minimum standards apply across all lending to avoid potential negative impacts. The bank’s value creation model connects inputs and activities to measurable outcomes. Lending supports values-driven entrepreneurs and fosters a circular, fossil-free and inclusive economy. Strategic focus ensures capital is deployed where it has the greatest impact. Triodos Bank’s intentionality is reinforced by transparency, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement.
With the Impact savings accounts, Triodos aims to bridge the gap between available capital and the funding needs of organisations active in the ecological transition, social inclusion, and cultural development sector.
Impact Management and Measurement
At general level Triodos Bank manages and measures impact through a robust framework based on double materiality, stakeholder engagement, and data analysis. Material topics guide strategy and risk management, while due diligence addresses potential negative impacts. Relationship managers and analysts assess impact by transition theme using contribution and attribution approaches. In 2024 for example, Triodos financed 561 renewable energy projects, avoiding 997 kilotons of CO₂e emissions, and supported 46,700 older people in care homes. KPIs also track carbon sequestration, and access to housing and financial services. Measurement aligns with standards like PCAF and ESRS. Annual reporting includes detailed disclosures, subject to limited assurance by an independent auditor. Targets include a 42% reduction in financed emissions and €500 million for nature-based solutions by 2030. Progress is monitored and shared transparently.
To ensure that savers know what happens with their money, the bank publishes on its website all the borrowers that are financed through the Impact Savings Accounts. As a leader in the field, the bank also provides an extensive impact report, that has been audited since many years by its external auditor. Triodos Bank is the only bank offering exclusively savings products that carry the Towards Sustainability label.
Loans funded by the savings on Impact Savings Accounts are carefully monitored by the business banking team. Key performance indicators are developed in close dialogue with partners to ensure alignment with Triodos’ values and minimum standards. Using a structured assessment framework, Triodos Bank evaluates both the financial and non-financial impact of financed activities. This approach offers transparency to savers, showing clearly how their money supports positive, sustainable change.
Additionality
Additionality ensures Triodos Bank’s financing enables outcomes that wouldn’t occur otherwise. The bank targets underserved sectors like renewable energy, organic agriculture, social housing, and nature-based solutions. It supports pioneering initiatives and entrepreneurs with high impact potential. Due diligence ensures financing doesn’t crowd out other capital. Lending teams assess societal and environmental value beyond financial metrics. Partnerships with institutions like the European Investment Bank help mobilize resources. Impact is tracked through outputs like new energy projects, organic farmland, and housing units. Advocacy for system change supports enabling environments for sustainable finance. Additionality is embedded in policies and processes, ensuring Triodos Bank’s capital is catalytic and mission-aligned. The approach drives innovation and delivers tangible benefits for people and the planet.
The additionality of the Impact Savings Account lies in channelling funds to organisations and initiatives that often lack access to traditional financing, thereby enabling projects to move forward that might otherwise never be realised
More information
- BelRefugees
- Triodos bank, Vision on impact of Triodos Bank, Annual report 2024
