BRS in a nutshell

BRS vzw

Since the incorporation of BRS in 1998, our mission has been to support rural entrepreneurs and farmers in the South and thus give them the opportunity to improve their lives in a sustainable manner. We do this by supporting local organisations. BRS vzw focuses on training, providing advice and coaching employees of microfinancing and microinsurance institutions in Africa, Latin America and Asia. 

Over 25 years of experience have taught us that cooperation, solidarity and mutual respect make a world of difference to countless entrepreneurs in the South. That is the message we are trying to convey in the North. 

 

Timeline

  • 1846-1847: Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen founded the first cooperative and developed the basic philosophy 
  • 1892: first Belgian cooperative, from which Cera later grew 
  • 1992: BRS vzw was founded
  • 1998: Cera, Kredietbank and ABB Verzekeringen merged to form KBC
  • 2012: BRS Microfinance Coop was founded
  • 2016: KBC and Cera continued to develop BRS Microfinance Coop. From the end of 2016, private individuals could also subscribe to a share 
  • 2026: Dissolution of BRS Microfinance Coop. Cera invests in the Belgian cooperatives Alterfin and Incofin Microfinance Fund. The non-profit organization strengthens its cooperation with these two cooperatives.

Deep roots, wide branches

how a work of art illustrates the vision of BRS/link