FEBEA

Created in 2001, the European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks (FEBEA – Fédération Européenne des banques Ethiques et Alternatives) is a non profit organisation based in Brussels, governed by Belgian law.

On 31 December 2008 FEBEA had 25 members from 13 different member countries of the European Union as well as applicant countries, cooperative banks and other financial institutions whose aim is to finance social and solidarity-based economy in their countries.

The entrepreneurs of a solidarity-based economy – whether they are the long-term unemployed creating their own business, farmers starting up in organic produce, or directors of insertion enterprises – all have a point in common: they often have difficulty in obtaining financing from the traditional banking system. This is where the FEBEA can help: its members can offer these business managers their expertise and financing.