Crédal

Crédal is a Belgian alternative financing cooperative founded in 1984 with a mission to promote a fairer society and reinforce social cohesion. It offers ethical savings products and supports social projects through credit and counseling services. The organization focuses on three main areas: ethical investment, alternative financing, and solidarity-based project support. Crédal provides loans and risk financing for organizations in sectors such as socio-professional inclusion, fair trade, workers' cooperatives, and social housing. It also offers microcredit for self-employed individuals and low-income people who lack access to traditional banking services. Crédal's financial resources come from its cooperative members, with over 3,700 investors choosing to invest ethically through the organization. While specific figures for typical project financing are not readily available, Crédal offers professional microcredit up to €25,000 for entrepreneurs. To receive funding, projects must align with Crédal's social and ethical vision. The organization prioritizes initiatives that have a positive societal impact and promote sustainable development. Recent beneficiaries include social enterprises and micro-entrepreneurs across Belgium, particularly in Brussels and Wallonia. As a member of the European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks (FEBEA), Crédal collaborates with similar institutions across Europe to promote ethical finance and social innovation.