In this annual report, we look back at the year 2022. We see the world around us changing rapidly. De coronavirus crisis, the war in Ukraine and climate change are creating even greater inequality in the world. This affects all of us. Millions of people are becoming more vulnerable. The Achmea Foundation wants to reduce this inequality. Sustainable Living. Together – everyone deserves the chance to do just that. From bringing healthcare closer to income for today and tomorrow, for vulnerable people in the Netherlands but also those in the poorest countries in Africa. Achmea Foundation and Achmea are working together to create a world in which it is possible to live together sustainably. Achmea Foundation aligns itself with Achmea’s goals. In this way, the Achmea Foundation contributes to strengthening Achmea’s strategy. We do this with four programmes.

The Impact Fund programme targets a niche market in sub-Saharan African countries by investing in projects that often do not have direct access to financial resources due to their innovative nature. We invest in organisations that offer vulnerable people a perspective in the area of bringing healthcare closer and income for today and tomorrow, focused on agriculture and finance. Through our Impact Fund programme, we support 21 impactful projects in Africa. We do this in cooperation with various project partners. This year, together with the Rabobank Foundation, we are investing in a carbon credits project in Tanzania. This project will enable thousands of small farmers to increase their incomes in coming years. You can read more about this in this annual report.

With Expert Volunteer Assignments, we invest in initiatives by making knowledge and expertise of Achmea employees available to charity organisations. By deploying professional Achmea employees, we increase the impact of charity organisations. In addition, a volunteer assignment offers opportunities for personal development for Achmea employees and is an important part of Achmea’s TOP programme (Talent, Development, Performance). In 2022, 30 employees have carried out an assignment abroad. In this annual report, we will hear from some of those employees.

With the ImpactPlus programme, we support social entrepreneurs in the Netherlands who play an important role in the lives of vulnerable people in one of Achmea’s strategic areas. Together with Achmea, we invest in social entrepreneurs who offer prospects to vulnerable people. We do this by offering selected social entrepreneurs a growth programme, knowledge, skills and an extensive network. In 2022, we selected eight social entrepreneurs who make a significant contribution on the theme of Healthy & Sustainable Living.

Achmea Voor Elkaar is Achmea’s platform where employees can start or support social initiatives through crowdfunding or crowdsourcing. The platform encourages volunteering and involvement of Achmea employees with the aim of “Sustainable Living. Together”. The platform also offers the possibility of organising a social team outing.

In recent years, the Achmea Foundation has worked hard to achieve the goals set out in the 2021-2025 strategy and work plan. As part of this, the coordination and cooperation with Achmea was strengthened in several areas. We also used last year to recalibrate the Achmea Foundation’s strategy so that it aligns even better with Achmea’s objective, enabling us to strengthen each other even more. In addition, the changing world demanded a critical eye to be even more impactful. We will stay committed to “Sustainable Living. Together” in the coming years. We will continue to do this in the sub-Saharan countries of Africa, as well as in the Netherlands. We will continue to focus on health and income for today and tomorrow.

There have also been changes on the personnel front. On 31 May 2022, Marjolein Verstappen stepped down as Director Achmea Foundation. She has been succeeded by Agnes van Daal (formerly Programme Manager at Achmea Foundation) as of 1 June 2022. Marjolein joined Achmea from the end of 2008, initially as director of health insurer Agis. After the integration of Agis with Zilveren Kruis, she was responsible for Care Procurement as director until the end of 2014. Marjolein has provided a solid, professional foundation with great energy and commitment. As a result, we have been able to develop a number of impactful programmes – both in Africa and in the Netherlands – for which we are very grateful to her. Agnes has taken over her position. Agnes has worked at Achmea and its predecessors since 1990. Since 2021, she worked as a programme manager for the Achmea Foundation. Before that, she worked as a senior manager at Achmea IT for several years. I am confident that Agnes will continue the work of the Achmea Foundation effectively.

There were further developments on the personnel front. In early 2022, we bid farewell to Sabine-Cecile Severein and Astrid Coelman. Sabine has continued her career elsewhere within Achmea and Astrid has opted for a position outside Achmea. As of 1 March 2022, Leony van Kooten started at the Achmea Foundation. Prior [A1] to this, Leony worked as an executive secretary at Centraal Beheer and has been working at Achmea since 2000. She now uses her network and enthusiasm as a project assistant at the Achmea Foundation. As of 31 May 2022, we have also bid farewell to Dennis de Haan. Dennis was involved with the Achmea Foundation as a financial advisor for nearly 6 years. In recent years, Dennis has shared his financial expertise with the Achmea Foundation in a very enjoyable way. Dennis de Haan’s position has been taken over by Tim Veerman. Tim has filled this position for the past six months with the same enthusiasm as Dennis. As of 1 September 2022, Maaike Blansjaar has also joined the Achmea Foundation. She previously worked as a programme manager in HR and brings with her a great deal of knowledge and an extensive network.

The impactful work of the Achmea Foundation is made possible by the commitment of many enthusiastic Achmea colleagues. They provide support from various departments. Their commitment is particularly important to the success of the Achmea Foundation. I would like to thank all these employees immensely for their contribution to the Achmea Foundation.

As Chairman of the Achmea Foundation, I remain committed, together with the Board and with the administrative office of the Achmea Foundation, to creating a more beautiful world that enables sustainable living together.

Willem van Duin, Chairman of the Achmea Foundation