Cera & BRS (Belgian Raiffeisen Foundation)

Cera creates economic and social added value in three areas:

• As a principal shareholder, Cera ensures the solid foundations of the KBC group;
• The members of Cera qualify for unique benefits;
• Cera generates a positive impact in our community through support to projects and services on cooperative entrepreneurship in Belgium and in the South. In the global South Cera focuses on governance of rural cooperatives, including – but not limited to – microfinance and microinsurance institutions (in collaboration with BRS).

BRS – the joint venture of KBC Group and the cooperative Cera – is benefitting from the cooperative experience from Cera and the financial and technical support of KBC Bank & Insurance. Through a model of banker-to-banker-coaching BRS supports microfinance and micro-insurance projects in the South to help sustainably improve the quality of life of the rural entrepreneurs and the farmers in the South. Not merely with cash, but more specifically with advice and in a dialogue with the stakeholders. BRS also manages its own cooperative fund ‘BRS Microfinance Coop’ for investments in microfinance institutions focusing on rural entrepreneurs and farmers.