In this annual report, we look back at the year 2021. Of course, this cannot be done without also giving due consideration to the war in Ukraine. This is stirring up a great deal of emotions among colleagues. Particularly the desire to help in any way possible. The Stichting Achmea Foundation (hereinafter, “Achmea Foundation”), together with Achmea, has initiated various actions to receive refugees from Ukraine. A crowdfunding campaign was also held. The money is going to our colleagues at Union in Slovakia. Through their health insurance branch, they provide direct assistance with medicine and other supplies to hospitals in Ukraine. We were able to make good use of the Voor Elkaar platform for all the actions.

The COVID-19 pandemic once again dominated the year 2021. Many of the initiatives in Africa that we support through our Impact Fund are experiencing delays. Contacts with our partners are mostly online, which is problematic because conditions there are so different from those in the Netherlands, which is making assessing progress more complex. Fortunately, our partners usually have established local contacts and more and more can be done online. This year, we have decided to invest in three new innovative projects. The support of the ambitious start-up Goal3 in particular is worth mentioning. The company develops data-driven, user-centred technologies that help health workers in Africa do their work more effectively and reach more patients.

The use of expertise from Achmea through our Expert Volunteer Assignments programme took place mainly online in 2021. This was due to travel restrictions to Africa due to COVID-19. The interest in these so-called remote assignments has grown among both our partners and Achmea employees. Giving online advice can also be valuable! But not everything is possible online. For example, very few social team outings could be organised through the Voor Elkaar platform. However, the foundation did facilitate three crowdfunding campaigns initiated by Achmea employees. For example, trainees from Achmea do walks to raise money for the Voedselbank (Food Bank). As the foundation, we were able to match all of the proceeds. I would like to draw special attention to the ImpactPlus programme. The aim of this programme is to strengthen social entrepreneurship in the Netherlands. We have decided to organise the programme together with Achmea in 2022. We focus on entrepreneurs who are active in making healthy and sustainable living possible. This is a great way to strengthen our partnership with Achmea.

In September 2021, I took over the baton from Ernst Hirsch Ballin, who chaired our Board in an inspiring way for eight years. Ernst Hirsch Ballin has filled the chairmanship with great commitment. We are very grateful to him for that. In addition, our management team has been strengthened with Bianca Tetteroo, the chair of Achmea’s Executive Board. I myself have been actively involved in the direction of the Achmea Foundation as a Board member for several years. In my role as President, I would therefore like to continue to build on the foundations that have been laid. Willem van Duin, Chairman of the Achmea Foundation Board