Crédal

Crédal is a financial cooperative established in 1984 and based near Brussels, Belgium. It was founded by anti-apartheid activists and other individuals aiming to build a social-oriented financial institution. The cooperative's original mission was to provide a more human approach to finance by channeling savings into ethical investments supporting associations, non-profits, and social economy enterprises. Crédal began by financing organizations such as Oxfam and medical and childcare centers. Over the decades, Crédal has expanded its activities, developing a wide range of credit products for projects that advance social cohesion. From 1994 onward, it pioneered professional microcredit in Belgium, making loans available to people who could not access traditional banking—often to support self-employment among those excluded from the job market. These microloans can be as low as 500 euros, with upper limits dependent on the specific program, such as 24,999 euros for some professional projects. By 2015, Crédal counted over 2,600 partners, mostly individuals. The cooperative supports sectors including social housing, fair trade, and the integration of disadvantaged groups into the labor market. Notably, Crédal's activities are partially funded through partnerships with organizations such as the Dexia Foundation and regional governments, which have permitted significant development of its microfinance and advisory services. Crédal remains one of Belgium's key actors in solidarity finance, blending ethical savings products, microcredit, and guidance for both individuals and social sector organizations in French-speaking Belgium.