Menu Search About us History The idea of Oikocredit started at a 1968 meeting of the World Council of Churches with young politically engaged church members, from a variety of denominations, calling for an ethical investment channel that supports peace and universal solidarity. At this time, the concept of Oikocredit was both innovative and controversial. Against the backdrop of world unrest over issues including Apartheid in South Africa and the Vietnam War, church members wanted assurance that church investments were promoting peace and positive development. To support this, the Oikocredit Ecumenical Development Cooperative Society (EDCS) was founded in 1975. ECDS provided churches and church-related organisations with their own alternative investment channel. From the start Oikocredit’s goal was to promote social justice by providing credit to productive enterprises run by disadvantaged people. Our investors and partners are our biggest asset Many individual church members around Europe believed in the concept of social investment and launched support associations. The idea of lending to organisations which helped disadvantaged people gradually gained support among institutional and individual investors, and in 1978 EDCS invested in its first projects: one in India, and one in Ecuador. Oikocredit still operates in both countries today, and the support associations continue to mobilise the largest portion of Oikocredit’s member capital. Over time, our partners have proven the viability of Oikocredit. Our ability to support their remarkable social impact remains our greatest asset. HomeAbout usHistory What we do Investment areas Partners Social impact Environment About us About us Mission and values Strategy Organisation How Oikocredit works History About the International Support Foundation Products & Services Loans Equity investments Capacity building Where we work Updates Updates News & stories Newsletter Get in touch Oikocredit International PO Box 2136 3800 CC Amersfoort work T: +31 33 422 40 40 fax F: +31 33 465 03 36 Stay informed Subscribe to newsletter Twitter LinkedIn Facebook YouTube Sitemap Important legal information Privacy Cookie Statement Copyright Prospectus Articles of association Close Menu Home What we do Products & Services Invest in Oikocredit Updates Covid-19 Would you like to allow cookies from this website? Oikocredit uses cookies to function properly. If you want to change which cookies we are allowed to use, you can change your cookie settings. Please find more information in our privacy statement. Enable all cookies Show cookie settings Only essential cookies