Solidaridad in Europe was founded in 1969, and has since evolved into a leader of global sustainability initiatives. Solidaridad’s activities in Europe focus on involving businesses, governments and donors to improve impact.
Europe

Region Europe
Solidaridad in Europe manages programmes in all major developing regions across the globe. It strives for more international collaboration, institutional reforms and good governance to solve big global issues like food insecurity, climate change and structural poverty.
Developments
The role of good European governance in shaping conditions for sustainable economic growth is more important than ever. The Paris climate agreement (2015) and the support from the Dutch, Irish and Norwegian Ministries of Foreign Affairs for our work are clear signs of what is possible with governmental support. We believe the global economy is in need of sustainable leadership, both in the private and public sector.
Companies are increasingly pledging to buy from sustainable suppliers and invest in good production practice. Nonetheless, some businesses do better than others at honouring these corporate social responsibility commitments. We aim to be a constructive yet critical partner. This can prompt a range of actions, which sometimes includes criticising companies to prompt them to continue to act on their good intentions.
Challenges
Europe is in turmoil. The EU’s relationship with member and non-member countries including Greece, Great Britain, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine is under severe pressure. The European economy is struggling; growth is weak and (youth) unemployment high.
While Europe is dealing with its problems, populist and nationalist political movements are rising in many countries. Foreign aid budgets are under pressure and further spending cuts are foreseen since accommodation of refugees and military interventions are done at the cost of aid budgets.
Achievements
From 2016 to 2020, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Solidaridad will join forces to work on sustainable sector transformation in selected agricultural, mining and industrial sectors and on the creation of sustainable management in landscapes of global importance.
For a transition to socially and environmentally sustainable sectors, collaboration at landscape level and an enabling policy environment are key ingredients to support ongoing efforts for good practices in farming, mining and industry.
The Norwegian government pledged grants for two new programmes. One of them aims to create further collaboration between governments, farmers and coffee companies in South America to shift coffee production and sourcing towards zero deforestation. In this programme, companies invest in, farmers adopt and governments design policies for climate-smart agriculture.
The Dutch Postcode Lottery continues to be a major promoter of sustainability with their annual contribution and support for our special programmes.
Learn more about Solidaridad's European organization on the Dutch website.
Track record Europe through the years
After close to 50 years of facilitating global sustainability development, Solidaridad Netherlands officially became Solidaridad Europe in 2016. Its focus has evolved to include the European region along four major activities: market development, policy influencing, communications and fundraising.
Join us Strategic partnerships
We develop strategic partnerships with commercial organizations to invest in good business practices and commit to higher standards of sustainability. Contact us today to learn more.
Partner-
Contact Information
Heske Verburg
Managing Director, Solidaridad Europe
't Goylaan 15, 3525 AA Utrecht, The Netherlands