a.s.r.’s raison d’être is to help people. We help people in sharing risks and building up capital for later together. This requires that they are able to make considered financial choices. This is based on them being financially self-reliant. It is in this context that a.s.r.’s Doenkracht (the force of doing) can help.
Supporting people with financial problems and preparing young people for financial choices and risks contributes to a financially aware, self-reliant and resilient society. Now and in the (distant) future.
This means that we fund projects in the field of financial education and teaching programmes and social programmes of organisations that help their participants with (impending) financial problems to prevent things from getting worse. In addition, Doenkracht encourages a.s.r. colleagues to roll up their sleeves with a variety of activities at social organisations.
With Doenkracht, we combine the activities of Aegon Nederland’s Stap vooruit (Step Forward) programme with those of a.s.r. foundation. All activities of Doenkracht tie in with the following two themes:
a.s.r. focuses on promoting financial education for children and young people and suppoerting households with (risk of) problematic debt.
Among other things, a.s.r. assists children by giving education at schools. How do you act responsibly, what are the possibilities and pitfalls of managing money? How do you ensure having enough money in the future? a.s.r. consciously focuses to teach school pupils, as they are the future.
At the post-secondary vocational education (Dutch:MBO), colleagues make an effort to help young people with their financial knowledge and behavior. Both as a guest teacher within the Life and Finances (Dutch: LEF) program or as a buddy at Moneyways
In collaboration with the organizations Tussenvoorziening and U-Centraal, a.s.r. colleagues help households with - a risk of - debt. As a Financial Volunteer at Home, they assist people organise their the financial administration, help people to apply for benefits, sort the mail and teach them how to bank digitally. Volunteers also assist in making financial statements and planning.
a.s.r. colleagues organise monthly financial consultation hours with a Neighbourhood Team via U-Centraal or give monthly workshops Life Events and Pensions (in Dutch) to give insight into the effects of people's income when they go into retirement.
In addition to the commitment of colleagues, Doenkracht also funds projects in the field of financial education and lesson programs, as well as programs from partners that assist their participants in preventing worsening debts.
a.s.r. considers it important that people are able to take responsible risks and make informed financial choices. This is not self-evident for everyone: in the Netherlands in 2022, 6 out of 10 households are financially unhealthy or vulnerable. In 2021, this was 50%*. a.s.r. assists people in making conscious financial choices to prevent them from falling into debt or to help them get out of it.
a.s.r. is an insurer for all people living and/or working in the Netherlands and takes the interests of vulnerable target groups at heart. Within a.s.r. we also strive for an inclusive culture, where differences are recognised, embraced and, indeed, made use of. Different perspectives, backgrounds, knowledge and experiences contribute to the realisation of a.s.r.’s objectives and are positively deployed in innovative, sustainable solutions.
1 Research from Deloitte, University Leiden and Nibud, March 2023
A financially aware, self-reliant and resilient society: now and in the (distant) future.
Financial education is relevant not only for the present, but also for the future. It enables people to make smart choices today and be prepared for financial challenges in the future. 86% of young people in the Netherlands are of the opinion that more attention should be paid at school to learning how to deal with money. By constantly being involved in financial education, a.s.r. contributes to a resilient society
For example, by helping with teaching in schools. And by facilitating the development of educational material that allows parents, teachers, volunteers and social workers to engage in conversations about money. How do you handle money responsibly, what are the possibilities and pitfalls of dealing with money? And how do you make sure you have enough money later on in life? Our main focus is on young people and (MBO) students. In doing so, we work together with partners, offering an educational package aimed at preventing financial problems.
Specifically, we do this by:
Educational material made possible by a.s.r.
a.s.r. already has the necessary experience in making educational material financially possible.
Indirect effects in preventing financial problems
The social programme Doenkracht has a number of indirect effects that it aims to achieve, formulated in a Theory of Change (ToC). The ToC model is meant to give structured thought to the objectives to be achieved and what is and is not being done to get there. It is, as it were, a roadmap for achieving change (impact), based on practical knowledge and relevant literature. Because young people and (MBO) students are better prepared for (future) financial choices and risks, we expect to contribute to six indirect effects through our partners, with an educational package that focuses on preventing financial problems. In our Theory of Change, we formulated these as follows:
Many a.s.r. employees regularly act as guest lecturers. These professionals share their knowledge and experience with schoolchildren and other target groups. For example, they give guest lectures on insurance, pensions and other financial topics. Increasing financial knowledge and skills is crucial in an increasingly complex society and can prevent many problems. In this way, these guest lecturers contribute to a financially aware, self-reliant and resilient society: now and in the (distant) future.
Many guest lectures are held as part of the Week van het Geld (Money Week). This week is an annual event organised by the Wijzer in geldzaken platform. As it is best to start at a young age, this platform aims to prepare children and young people to be financially self-reliant in the future. During Money Week, but also at other times of the year, schools can use teaching materials and activities to focus on learning to deal with money. Various providers, such as banks and insurers, give guest lessons to promote financial education. a.s.r. has participated in Money Week since 2012.
With the merger of a.s.r. and Aegon in 2023, bringing together the two insurers’ social programmes also became relevant. With help from Grant Thornton’s Impact House, a Theory of Change (ToC) - was developed shortly after the merger of the two social programmes. The ToC model is meant to give structured thought to the objectives to be achieved and what is and is not being done to get there. It is, as it were, a roadmap for achieving change (impact), based on practical knowledge and relevant literature.
The impact that the social programme Doenkracht aims to make is perfectly in line with a.s.r.’s mission: a financially aware, self-reliant and resilient society. Now and in the (distant) future. Various activities that will contribute to this, with direct and indirect effects, including strengthening five types of capitals have been formulated in a ToC. We measure the impact of the Doenkracht programme and share what we learn.
With Doenkracht, a.s.r. wants to increase people’s financial self-reliance. We do not do this alone, but with the help of specialised partners. Together, we want to support people with (impending) financial problems in a practical way. In addition, we want to better prepare young people for future financial choices and risks.
By teaching people to use money more wisely now, they will later be able to make better and more sustainable financial choices themselves. Choices that are always better for future generations and for the world around us.
A financially aware, self-reliant and resilient society: now and in the (distant) future.
With Doenkracht, a.s.r., together with partners, helps people on their way to financial self-reliance. We focus in particular on the cities of Enschede, Groningen, Heerlen, Leeuwarden and Utrecht, as this is where our offices are located. In these five cities, we focus on people with (impending) financial problems.
Working with partners is essential because these partners know better than anyone else what approach works best locally. Our contribution to these organisations consists of financial support and sharing our network and skills. Where possible and appropriate, we also use the talent and knowledge of our employees to support these local partners. For example, colleagues can volunteer to help with the Doenkracht programme in the city where they work.
Specifically, we do this by:
Our mostly locally rooted partners:
a.s.r. is a socially engaged organisation that values social responsibility. Our employees often feel motivated to give something back to society and share their expertise with others. As a financial services provider, a.s.r. has employees with knowledge of financial matters. By doing volunteer work, they can use their expertise to help people with financial challenges.
Financial volunteering offers employees the chance to make a direct impact on the lives of others. This can lead to a sense of fulfilment and meaningful work. The financial volunteer work that a.s.r. employees do is diverse and must fit in with what our partners offer. Not every project can (always) use the help of volunteers. Examples of volunteer work that a.s.r. colleagues do in the field of mitigating (impending) financial problems include:
In collaboration with the organizations Tussenvoorziening and U-Centraal, a.s.r. colleagues help households with - a risk of - debt. As a Financial Volunteer at Home, they assist people organise their the financial administration, help people to apply for benefits, sort the mail and teach them how to bank digitally. Volunteers also assist in making financial statements and planning.
a.s.r. colleagues organise monthly financial consultation hours with a Neighbourhood Team via U-Centraal or give monthly workshops Life Events and Pensions (in Dutch) to give insight into the effects of people's income when they go into retirement.
In addition to the commitment of colleagues, Doenkracht also funds projects in the field of financial education and lesson programs, as well as programs from partners that assist their participants in preventing worsening debts.
a.s.r. wants to be at the forefront of sustainable business practice in the financial sector. We want to make a positive contribution to making society more sustainable by continuously working to help create solutions that meet the life needs of the current generation without compromising those of future generations. We do this through investments, but also through our products and services.
For companies striving to have a positive impact on society, creating sustainable value and strengthening capitals are essential aspects.
The social programme Doenkracht has a number of indirect effects that it aims to achieve, formulated in 5 types of capital:
With the merger of a.s.r. and Aegon in 2023, bringing together the two insurers’ social programmes also became relevant. With help from Grant Thornton’s Impact House, a Theory of Change (ToC) - was developed shortly after the merger of the two social programmes. The ToC model is meant to give structured thought to the objectives to be achieved and what is and is not being done to get there. It is, as it were, a roadmap for achieving change (impact), based on practical knowledge and relevant literature.
The impact that the social programme Doenkracht aims to make is perfectly in line with a.s.r.’s mission: a financially aware, self-reliant and resilient society. Now and in the (distant) future. Various activities that will contribute to this, with direct and indirect effects, including strengthening five types of capitals have been formulated in a ToC. We measure the impact of the Doenkracht programme and share what we learn.
With Doenkracht, a.s.r. wants to increase people’s financial self-reliance. We do not do this alone, but with the help of specialised partners. Together, we want to support people with (impending) financial problems in a practical way. In addition, we want to better prepare young people for future financial choices and risks.
By teaching people to use money more wisely now, they will later be able to make better and more sustainable financial choices themselves. Choices that are always better for future generations and for the world around us.
Social organizations often depend on volunteers in order to offer 'something extra'. Doenkracht aims to inspire as many colleagues as possible to volunteer. a.s.r. organises Social Team Activities (STA's) in which colleagues assist social organizations by physically rolling up their sleeves. Moreover, a.s.r. supports individual colleagues who perform voluntary work in their private environment with a financial contribution.
Teams and departments within a.s.r. can choose from more than forty society projects set out by social organisations that could use some assistance. a.s.r. colleagues take elderly out for a refreshing walk in the forrest or pick fruit with people with intellectual disabilities.
a.s.r. happily supports colleagues volunteering in their private time. With Doenkracht's Encouragement Plan (Dutch: Stimulansplan), employees, who privately work as a volunteer, can annualy receive a financial contribution of up to € 500 for their charity.
If you have any questions about Doenkracht, please don't hesitate to send an email to doenkracht@asr.nl