The Fédération Européenne des banques Ethiques et Alternatives, which was founded in 2001, is an association duly organised under the laws of Belgium and it is established in Brussels. It is not only open to European Union member states, but also to countries located in the free trade area. It includes 24 financial institutions from 12 different countries, whose common point is to fund social and solidarity-based economy.
Solidarity-oriented economy entrepreneurs, whether they may be long-time unemployed workers founding their own businesses, farmers converting to the production of organic food, or managers running firms involved in inclusion actions share the common difficulty of securing credits from the traditional banking system. FEBEA members contribute their expertise and provide their funds to these socially aware entrepreneurs.
