Oikocredit celebrates 50th anniversary with a year to reflect, reconnect and build a sustainable future

20 November 2024, Amersfoort, the Netherlands – Social impact investor Oikocredit is celebrating five decades of advancing equity and opportunity with a year-long calendar of global events, partnerships and education initiatives under the theme, “50 years of investing in tomorrow”. The golden year will culminate in a global commemorative conference on the day of the anniversary, 4 November 2025. 

Founded as the Oikocredit Ecumenical Development Cooperative Society (EDCS) in 1975, the organisation traces its roots to a 1968 meeting of the World Council of Churches where delegates called for an ethical investment channel supporting peace and solidarity. Oikocredit has since focused closely on financial inclusion and supporting micro, small and medium enterprises, working with on-ground partners to improve livelihoods, create jobs and raise incomes for underserved communities. 

Mirjam ’t Lam, Managing Director at Oikocredit, described the anniversary as more than a look back, framing the year ahead as a call for stronger action to drive systemic change. “Nearly 50 years ago Oikocredit set off on a relatively unknown path to convince others that impact investing was viable, and in doing so became a pioneer in social impact. Today, we are a community of over 47,000 investors, our partners reach 53 million people in 52 focus countries, and our work is even more important than ever,” she said.  

“With global gaps of privilege widening, and those with the least being most affected by the impact of climate change, we want to renew our call to action and say, ‘Whether you have EUR 200 or EUR 200 million to invest; put your money to work!’ Invest for impact and play your part in setting us all up for a better tomorrow,” Mirjam added.  

Anniversary initiatives and events in 2025 

Oikocredit’s jubilee presents an opportunity to deepen ties with its community of members, investors and partners, and to highlight the continued relevance of its mission. 

In January 2025, Oikocredit will introduce a refreshed brand identity and a redesigned website. The brand update reflects a renewed commitment and enhances accessibility, while the new website makes it easier for investors to support Oikocredit’s work. 

Alongside, a series of videos and workshops will amplify the “Investing in tomorrow” theme, fostering learning and collaboration around social impact and climate resilience. 

The year’s events culminate in a Global Reflection and Visioning Day on 4 November 2025 to bring together Oikocredit’s global community. It will take place across four multiple locations, including Hyderabad in India, Nairobi in Kenya, São Paulo in Brazil and Rotterdam in the Netherlands. 

Over EUR 1 billion in development finance 

From pioneering investments in affordable housing and cooperative businesses to renewable energy and community wellbeing more recently, Oikocredit has driven measurable social impact and helped set standards for the sector, while also delivering fair investor returns. 

More than one billion euros (EUR 1,099 million) in development financing is currently with partners across Oikocredit’s core focus areas. By comparison, total development finance stood at NLG 536,364 (approximately EUR 243,400) in 1979, our records show. 

Among Oikocredit’s first projects, a 1978 loan of USD 200,000 (about EUR 215,650) to the Vellore Christian Medical College Board provided home loans for 200 lower-income hospital workers in Tamil Nadu, India. The same year, Fondo Ecuatoriano Populorum Progressio (FEPP) used a USD 100,000 loan to help villagers in Salinas, Ecuador, establish artisanal cheese and sausage businesses. 

Fostering sustainable and resilient futures worldwide  

Oikocredit has over 500 partners today in 52 countries across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Last year, it enhanced financial inclusion for 53 million people – 87% women (87%) and 65% living in rural areas, the Impact Report 2024 shows. Its efforts support access to business capital for 4.29 million micro, small and medium enterprises, while its renewable energy portfolio offsets 422,564 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually – equivalent to emissions from 100,571 cars.  

In addition, through its collaboration with the Oikocredit International Support Foundation, the cooperative continues to extend or facilitate capacity building and technical assistance. Oikocredit blends private investment capital with donor-funded technical assistance to maximise impact. It’s partnershipwith Opportunity International is improving education for over 1.6 million children in lower-income countries, while collaborations with Aqua for All and Water.org enhance improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in focus areas. 

As the climate crisis and geopolitical challenges escalate, Oikocredit is strengthening investments into clean technology, renewable energy, digital microfinance solutions and regenerative agriculture, while continuing to support WASH and affordable housing initiatives.  

More information on Oikocredit’s most recent performance is in the 2023 Annual Report. 

About Oikocredit 

Social impact investor and worldwide cooperative Oikocredit has nearly five decades of experience funding organisations active in financial inclusion, agriculture and renewable energy. 

Oikocredit's loans, equity investments and capacity building aim to enable people on low incomes in Africa, Asia and Latin America to improve their living standards sustainably.