‘Our well-being is there thanks to the region - we want to keep that’
‘Rabobank's roots are here,’ says Carlo van Kemenade, member of Rabobank's Group Executive Board and responsible for operations in the Netherlands. ‘125 years ago, the Netherlands' first Boerenleenbank was opened in Geldrop, a forerunner of Rabobank. Founder of the Boerenleenbanken was Father Van den Elsen and he was born in Gemert. This region is close to our hearts, important for the Netherlands and therefore also for our bank. Our cooperative signature has always driven us. Today, we fill that role by tackling social problems as Rabobank and our participation in the Brainport Partnerfonds fits perfectly with that cooperative tradition.’
Marc Cootjans, cooperative director Rabobank East Brabant, calls collaboration a core value of this region. ‘Here, technology goes hand in hand with society. The partner fund is not just a charity project; it is an investment in the future of Brainport.’
According to Van Kemenade and Cootjans, social return is central to this, meaning that the investments should make the region more liveable for everyone. ‘And, as we all know, economic return follows naturally from this,’ he says.
Cooperation between private and public parties
The rapid growth of high-tech companies such as ASML has put the Brainport region on the map as a world-class innovation hub. But this success also brings challenges. ‘Not everyone benefits proportionally,’ Cootjans explains. ‘Social problems are increasing, such as a shortage of housing and insufficient facilities. We need to take action to prevent inequality from growing further. With the partner fund, we can contribute to this.’
Van Kemenade emphasises that the fund builds on a tradition of taking responsibility. ‘Philips laid the foundation for what Brainport is today. Now it is our turn to invest in a society that offers space for everyone, regardless of education level or origin.’ The success of companies in Brainport is inextricably linked to the region, argues Cootjans. ‘So it is a matter of decency that we contribute to the viability of the region. Of course, a big company can do more than an SME, but every contribution counts.’
What makes the Brainport Partner Fund special is the cooperation between private and public parties. ‘The fund enables public investments by laying a strong private foundation,’ says Cootjans. ‘This approach suits the region: we are used to working together and joining forces.’
Channelling activities
Van Kemenade also sees this as a unique opportunity to involve companies in social issues. ‘Companies often have the expertise and resources to solve problems. For example, by deploying data analysis or innovative solutions for housing projects or improving transport systems.’
Cootjans sees a nice parallel between the partner fund and the activities of Brainport voor Elkaar, the initiative that encourages employers to get involved in the region's social agenda. A lot of good things are already happening there, he says, although he expects even more impact if there were better channelling of activities towards the most relevant themes, such as healthcare and education. ‘A more project-based approach too. There are tens of thousands of advanced professionals working here with expertise in data management, dashboarding, AI. Many civil society organisations can benefit from that.’ For example, Brightcape was able to help Lumens build a functional dashboard.
In Brainport, we think in terms of possibilities
Van Kemenade underlines that the fund is not only about financial contributions. ‘Companies can also contribute their time and expertise. Think of employees doing voluntary work or sharing knowledge with civil society organisations. It's about structural commitment, not just one-off actions.’
Although the intentions are good, Cootjans and Van Kemenade also see barriers and practical challenges. ‘Of course, there are still the necessary obstacles,’ says Cootjans. ‘But it is precisely in Brainport that we think in terms of possibilities. We are used to finding solutions and breaking through those barriers.’
World-class with a human face
Brainport Eindhoven is known worldwide for its innovative strength. But according to Cootjans and Van Kemenade, it is the combination of technology and humanity that makes the region unique. ‘We have a metropolis-like scale, but the network remains manageable. This makes cooperation more effective,’ Cootjans explains.
He concludes with an appeal to those companies that are not yet members of the partner fund: ‘Please join, because this allows us to influence our immediate living environment. For us as Rabobank it was obvious, the Brainport Partnerfonds is a wonderful example of cooperative banking in a modern guise. By investing together in our region, we ensure that Brainport remains a place where everyone can prosper not only today, but also tomorrow.’
