a.s.r. is committed to promote the social inclusion of different target groups, including socially vulnerable individuals. It helps people to make well-considered financial choices in order to prevent them from getting into debt or to help them get out of debt. a.s.r. encourages its employees to contribute to society alongside their work, either individually, in a team or at home. Employees are given time and financial resources to do so on an annual basis. a.s.r. foundation initiates projects to encourage financial self-reliance and ‘helping by doing’, with the assistance of a.s.r. volunteers.

Financial self-reliance

Many Dutch citizens struggle to stay on top of their finances. A poorly organised personal administration increases the risk of getting into debt. a.s.r. foundation therefore supports households with (a risk of problematical) debts to get their financial records on track.

Half of all people with financial problems have a low literacy rate. a.s.r. believes that financial education and developing language in children and young people is crucial and helps parents to teach their children to become financially literate. In 2023, 281 (2022: 224) a.s.r. employees volunteered 5,930 hours (2022: 4,074), for example by giving guest lectures at schools or becoming a financial buddy (financial home visitor).

Helping by doing

There are many vulnerable groups in the Netherlands who need help and encouragement to get by. Community-based organisations which provide such support often depend on volunteers. a.s.r. encourages its employees to give their time and effort to these causes. Volunteers can get involved in social activities either individually or as part of a team.

Each year, a.s.r. teams are given the opportunity to help community organisations, such as helping to run activities at the ‘Sherpa’ day care campsite or doing odd jobs at the Horsewise riding therapy centre.

With the Stimulusplan, a.s.r. supports the personal initiatives of employees who volunteer in their own time for the benefit of a community organisation. by means of an incentive (encouragement) plan. In 2023 1,299 (2022: 1,038) a.s.r. employees volunteered in 107 (2022: 118) different activities.

Doenkracht

As of 2024, a.s.r. will continue the activities of Aegon NLs' Step Forward programme and of the a.s.r. foundation under the name Doenkracht.

With Doenkracht, a.s.r. joins forces and helps by doing. This will be achieved through projects aimed at getting people to make conscious financial choices. So that more and more people in the Netherlands become financially aware, resilient and empowered. a.s.r. realises this by funding educational programmes and giving guest lectures at schools, among other things.

Furthermore, in five cities where a.s.r. has a branch, Utrecht, Heerlen, Enschede, Leeuwarden and Groningen, a.s.r. will join forces with partners to support projects and programmes that will help people with (imminent) problematic debts to find a sustainable way out of that situation. a.s.r. employees also visit people's homes to help them get their financial affairs back in order.

In addition, Doenkracht helps with organising team activities such as working together to do a job for a social institution. If a colleague takes action to support a good cause, a.s.r. often gives a helping hand through the Stimulusplan of Doenkracht.

For more information about Doenkracht, visit the a.s.r. website.