BNP Paribas provides Qredits with €10 million for sustainable and inclusive microfinancing for small businesses in the Netherlands

BNP Paribas is expanding its commitment to Qredits, a non-profit organisation that provides alternative financing for entrepreneurs in the Netherlands, with a new €10 million funding line. This innovative, sustainability and inclusivity-focused financing solution allows Qredits to offer more aspiring and existing small business owners access to credit.

Sustainability-focused financing

In 2023, BNP Paribas, in partnership with the JuST Institute, developed the Inclusive Sustainability-Linked Financing (ISLF+), an innovative financing solution that supports microfinance institutions in combining social and environmental performance with transition objectives. Since its launch, BNP Paribas has provided five ISLF+ contracts in several countries, for a total amount close to €50 million.

With this additional financing of €10 million, BNP Paribas intends to support the transition of entrepreneurs – Qredits’ clients – in the Netherlands, by incentivising the issuance of sustainability loans, such as investments in energy-efficient operations and circular solutions, as well as microfinancing.

“We are proud that BNP Paribas has once again expressed its confidence in Qredits with this financing. The additional funding allows us to help even more entrepreneurs get started with credit, coaching and training. This way, we give entrepreneurship in the Netherlands a new boost.”

Marco Smit, Managing Director of Qredits

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Qredits with this way of financing, enabling the foundation to help even more start-up businesses.

ISLF+ promotes the use of green and inclusive financing for small to medium-sized businesses in the Netherlands.

Several indicators are used, such as the number of loans granted to female entrepreneurs and start-ups, as well as the share of the portfolio dedicated to financing green technologies and practices. An additional advantage is that interest rates lower when the objectives are being achieved.”

Julija Luzan, Director at BNP Paribas CIB the Netherlands

Read more about the ISLF+ solution.