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Last update : November 2000
Netwerk Vlaanderen aims to contribute to the promotion of ethical, social and ecological principles in society, focusing on the role of money. On the one hand Netwerk supports a different approach towards money in all its dimensions: develop and exchange ideas, values, insights so as to change peoples’ attitudes towards money. On the other hand, Netwerk wants to offer specific products and services, enabling several alternative ways to deal with money. As such, Netwerk supports self-managing, small-scale co-operatives, social, ecological and cultural projects governed according to basic democratic principles. People are invited to lend their money directly to projects (at a low interest rate) to personalise lender/borrower relations. The special savings programme "Krekelsparen" makes people think about the destination of their savings.
Background
Netwerk Vlaanderen was set up in 1982 as a solidarity fund, based on the consideration that a lot of examples of independent innovative projects had great difficulties in getting essential financial means. In 1984 the "Krekelsparen" programme was launched. This was followed in 1985 by the launch of the "Waarborgfonds Zelfbeheer co-operative guarantee fund". In 1990 the ASLK branch network was set up.
Structure
Netwerk organises a general meeting of members twice a year to decide the general policy of the organisation. The Board of Managers puts this into practice. The actual work is then done jointly by the personnel and a number of volunteers at the national Head Office. Regional groups of volunteers check and acknowledge the projects supported by Netwerk.
Activities
Netwerk Vlaanderen is structured in three sectors of activity:
Netwerk Vlaanderen VZW (non-profit association)
Netwerk Vlaanderen started an original form of co-operation with ASLK bank in 1984 called "Krekelsparen" (literally: "Cricket Saving"). The system works as follows: Netwerk Vlaanderen acts as an agent for the ASLK bank (now Fortis group) by bringing in savings money and in exchange for its efforts receives a commission (which is now between at 1% of the total savings amount). In October 1993, Netwerk achieved a new agreement with ASLK bank, on the use of a credit line of BEF 30 million to finance its own projects. The savings deposited in "cricket" accounts will be aimed at financing projects representing social and environmental criteria, for example in social housing or public transport, in environmentally friendly undertakings as well as in social educational structures. In 1995 a new agreement was signed: ETHIBEL, an independent screening office controles the ethical content of the reinvestment of the "cricket" portfolio. In addition to the "cricket", depositors may now open term deposit accounts and "cricket" deposit accounts (term from 1 to 10 years). With these products, the saver must give a minimum of 10% of their net interest to Netwerk or an associated organisation. This is considered as a gift and benefits from tax allowance. In order to support the ASLK branches, the ASLK bank has appointed provincial agents in charge of ethical and social banking.Waarborgfonds Zelfbeheer (co-operative) Co-operative guarantee fund providing guarantees in the alternative/social economy. It is used to back loans by individuals to alternative projects.
ASLK Agentschap Netwerk cv (co-operative)
Fortis bank (former ASLK Bank) ensures that all the savings deposited in the Fortis ex ASLK branch Netwerk (Cricket savings as well as others) will be reinvested according to the above mentioned criteria. The Netwerk branch of Fortis has been closed on the 1st of November 2001
New Developments Planned
More attention will go to research, information, training so as to promote different attitudes towards money.
The setting up of a services centre.
Key Figures
EUR |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
| on Cricket saving accounts | 74,652,000 | ||
| Number of accounts | 301 | ||
| Share capital | 129,000 | 130,000 | 131,000 |
| Loans to projects | 978,000 | 1,150,000 | 907,000 |
| Fee from financial institutions (cricket saving, Altervision etc.) | 783,000 |
