Oikocredit, headquartered in Amersfoort, Netherlands, is a cooperative society established in 1975 by the World Council of Churches. Its founding mission was to mobilize church and community assets for development finance, providing new avenues for ethical investments at a time when lending to disadvantaged communities was still unusual among development groups.
Today, Oikocredit operates as one of the largest private financiers in the microfinance sector globally. As of the end of 2021, it reported a balance sheet totaling €1.26 billion, with €996 million in project financing and over 1,100 million euros in member capital. The cooperative partners with more than 500 organizations in over 50 countries, focusing on sectors such as microfinance, agriculture, and renewable energy. Its staff numbers slightly over 200, maintaining a balance of gender representation.
Oikocredit finances its activities through investments from a broad base of members, including church groups and private individuals, structured through local support associations. It prefers "patient capital," targeting investments in underserved regions where mainstream finance is scarce. Examples of its impact include cooperation with financial institutions to expand educational loan products in low-income countries and substantial support for smallholder agriculture and renewable energy initiatives.
While the organization prioritizes social impact over profit, it has not been without criticism; human rights groups have questioned its due diligence in certain regions like Cambodia. Oikocredit maintains that client protection is a priority and that it continuously reviews its lending practices.